(completes, completing, completed)
Frequency: The word is one of the 700 most common words in English.
1.
You use complete to emphasize that something is as great in extent, degree, or amount as it possibly can be.
The rebels had taken complete control...
It shows a complete lack of understanding by management...
The resignation came as a complete surprise...
He was the complete opposite of Raymond.
= total, absolute
? partial
ADJ: usu ADJ n [emphasis]
• completely
Dozens of flats had been completely destroyed...
...something completely different.
= totally
ADV: ADV with v, ADV adj/adv
2.
You can use complete to emphasize that you are referring to the whole of something and not just part of it.
A complete tenement block was burnt to the ground...
The job sheets eventually filled a complete book.
= entire, whole
ADJ: ADJ n [emphasis]
3.
If something is complete, it contains all the parts that it should contain.
The list may not be complete.
...a complete dinner service...
ADJ
• completeness
...the accuracy and completeness of the information obtained.
N-UNCOUNT
4.
To complete a set or group means to provide the last item that is needed to make it a full set or group.
...the stickers needed to complete the collection.
VERB: no cont, V n
5.
The complete works of a writer are all their books or poems published together in one book or as a set of books.
...the Complete Works of William Shakespeare.
ADJ: ADJ n
6.
If one thing comes complete with another, it has that thing as an extra or additional part.
The diary comes complete with a gold-coloured ballpoint pen.
PREP-PHRASE: PREP n
7.
If something is complete, it has been finished.
The work of restoring the farmhouse is complete...
It'll be two years before the process is complete.
? incomplete
ADJ: v-link ADJ
8.
If you complete something, you finish doing, making, or producing it.
Peter Mayle has just completed his first novel.
...the rush to get the stadiums completed on time.
VERB: V n, get n V-ed
• completion (completions)
The project is nearing completion...
House completions for the year should be up from 1,841 to 2,200.
N-VAR
9.
If you complete something, you do all of it.
She completed her degree in two years...
This book took years to complete.
= finish
VERB: no cont, V n, V n
10.
If you complete a form or questionnaire, you write the answers or information asked for in it.
Simply complete the coupon below...
Use the enclosed envelope to return your completed survey.
= fill in
VERB: V n, V-ed