Complete - Dictionary
Complete
Part of Speech
Adjective, Verb
Pronunciation
British English: /kəmˈpliːt/
American English: /kəmˈpliːt/
Definitions
As an Adjective:
- Having all necessary parts; whole.
- Finished or concluded; not lacking anything.
- Absolute; total.
As a Verb:
- To bring to an end; finish.
- To make whole or perfect.
Usage Examples
- The project is now complete.
- He made a complete recovery.
- She will complete her degree next year.
Etymology
From Latin completus, past participle of complere ("to fill up, finish"), from com- ("together") + plere ("to fill").
Synonyms
- Whole
- Entire
- Finished
- Absolute
Antonyms
- Incomplete
- Partial
- Unfinished
Translations
| Language |
Translation |
Pronunciation |
| French | complet | /kɔ̃.plɛ/ |
| German | komplett | /kɔmˈplɛt/ |
| Spanish | completo | /komˈple.to/ |
| Portuguese | completo | /kõˈplɛ.tu/ |
| Chinese | 完整 | /wánzhěng/ |
| Japanese | 完全 | /kanzen/ |
| Russian | полный | /ˈpol.nɨj/ |
| Hindi | पूर्ण | /pūrṇa/ |
| Bengali | সম্পূর্ণ | /ʃɔmpuɾɳo/ |
Regional Pronunciation Variations
- In some British dialects, the final "t" may be softened.
- In American English, the second syllable often has a clearer emphasis.
Historical Usage
The word "complete" has been used in English since the 14th century to mean "having all parts" and later developed its verb form meaning "to finish" in the 15th century.
Cultural Nuances
"Complete" can be used to emphasize a sense of totality, such as in "complete disaster" or "complete success," which often carry strong connotations.
More Information
In philosophy and logic, "completeness" refers to the state where nothing more needs to be added. In sports, a "complete player" is one who excels in all aspects of the game.