complete

adjective

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com·plete | \ kəm-ˈplēt

completer; completest

Definition of complete

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a : having all necessary parts, elements, or steps a complete diet

b of a protein : containing all essential amino acids Beans and grains combined together form a complete protein.

2a : total, absolute complete silence

b : fully carried out : thorough a complete renovation

c of a football pass : legally caught

3 : brought to an end : concluded a complete period of time

4 : highly proficient a complete artist

5 of a subject or predicate : including modifiers, complements, or objects

6 of insect metamorphosis : characterized by the occurrence of a pupal stage between the motile immature stages and the adult — compare incomplete sense 3

7 : having all four sets of floral organs

8 of a metric space : having the property that every Cauchy sequence of elements converges to a limit in the space

complete with

: made complete by the inclusion of a birthday cake complete with candles

complete

verb

completed; completing

Definition of complete (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

1 : to bring to an end and especially into a perfected state complete a painting

2a : to make whole or perfect Its song completes the charm of the bird. Her latest purchase completes her collection.

b : to mark the end of A rousing chorus completes the show.

c : execute, fulfill complete a contract

3 : to carry out (a forward pass) successfully The quarterback completed 12 out of 18 passes.

Other Words from complete Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about complete

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Choose the Right Synonym for complete

Adjective

full, complete, plenary, replete mean containing all that is wanted or needed or possible. full implies the presence or inclusion of everything that is wanted or required by something or that can be held, contained, or attained by it. a full schedule complete applies when all that is needed is present. a complete picture of the situation plenary adds to complete the implication of fullness without qualification. given plenary power replete implies being filled to the brim or to satiety. replete with delightful details

Verb

close, end, conclude, finish, complete, terminate mean to bring or come to a stopping point or limit. close usually implies that something has been in some way open as well as unfinished. close a debate end conveys a strong sense of finality. ended his life conclude may imply a formal closing (as of a meeting). the service concluded with a blessing finish may stress completion of a final step in a process. after it is painted, the house will be finished complete implies the removal of all deficiencies or a successful finishing of what has been undertaken. the resolving of this last issue completes the agreement terminate implies the setting of a limit in time or space. your employment terminates after three months

Examples of complete in a Sentence

Adjective He spoke in complete sentences. They sat in complete silence. Verb The project took four months to complete. Her latest purchase completes her collection. The new baby completed their family. The quarterback completed 12 out of 15 passes.

Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective The Victor Myers custom model at 4204 Laura Lane in the Hillside neighborhood of Flower Mound is now complete. — Dallas News, "Victor Myers design ready in Flower Mound," 17 May 2020 The chain, which operates about 1,400 stores, said the restructuring will be complete by the end of 2023. — Washington Post, "Retailers face reckoning as April’s sales drop sets a record," 16 May 2020 No hunting camp was complete without a small bottle for general cleaning at the day’s end. — Steve Meyer, Anchorage Daily News, "How cleaning your gun can take you on a trip down memory lane," 16 May 2020 His plant-fiber hoody is complete with a pocket full of non-toxic copper ammo, thanks to the state’s lead bans. — Drew Palmer, Outdoor Life, "50 Hunter Stereotypes from Every State," 15 May 2020 The addition of these workers, eligible under a federal stimulus program, required the state to set up a new system to process claims, work that the state says is now complete. — Mark Williams, Cincinnati.com, "New unemployment claims decline in Ohio, across the country," 14 May 2020 The plan is to test at least 5,000 people — half the population — by the time the project is complete. — Kristen Jordan Shamus, Detroit Free Press, "Grosse Ile's COVID-19 testing unlike any other in the state," 14 May 2020 The aim was to master the basics of a French 101 class—a gift to myself for my 33rd birthday—and then book a trip to Paris once the French lessons were complete. — Laura Delarato, Condé Nast Traveler, "My Virtual French Lessons Let Me Dream About Returning to Paris," 13 May 2020 The group of ministers wrote in its release, signed by more than 10 local pastors, that when the investigation is complete, a full investigative report and all evidence should be made available to the public. — Darcy Costello, The Courier-Journal, "Calls grow for federal investigation into Louisville police shooting of Breonna Taylor," 13 May 2020 Recent Examples on the Web: Verb The $29 million facelift includes bike lanes and other traffic safety features and will take about three years to complete, the State Highway Administration said. — Washington Post, "3 years of roadwork to begin on stretch of Route 1 in College Park," 20 May 2020 All restaurants that plan to reopen Friday and expand upon their previous seating must complete an application to begin operations and be granted a temporary license for outdoor seating. — Justin L. Mack, The Indianapolis Star, "How Indianapolis will change to allow more outdoor dining amid coronavirus," 19 May 2020 The look is completed with a straight cut, drawstring-fastened pant in the same color. — Dan Q. Dao, Condé Nast Traveler, "Travel-Friendly Streetwear We're Shopping for Right Now," 18 May 2020 Once the trout were interested and aroused, Gordon clipped off the fly and then switched to a smaller pattern to complete the catch. — Mike Valla, Field & Stream, "8 Vintage Streamer Patterns for Trout and Salmon," 14 May 2020 Preschool- and elementary-aged students need a lot of parental support to complete their distance-learning obligations. — Jessica Grose, New York Times, "Want More on Home Schooling and Burnout?," 13 May 2020 Before asking the judges to set her bail, the researchers had them complete a personality questionnaire. — Dan Cable, Scientific American, "Coping with ‘Death Awareness’ in the COVID-19 Era," 13 May 2020 At one point, Cheyenne (Reba’s daughter) grabs the mic, before Barbara Jean snatches it back and drags Reba up to the stage to complete the karaoke performance. — Rebecca Norris, Country Living, "Reba McEntire Shared a Nostalgic Throwback From Her ‘Reba’ Days and Now We're Ready for a Show Reunion," 3 May 2020 For those who need to complete their probation requirements, Nicastro said the court community service department is reopening on May 11 with projects that adhere to social distancing such as picking up trash on the freeways. — Laura Bednar, cleveland, "Independence Court system and their municipal counterpart go digital during COVID-19," 1 May 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'complete.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Last Updated

22 May 2020

Cite this Entry

“Complete.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/complete. Accessed 1 Jun. 2020.

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More Definitions for complete

complete

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of complete

(Entry 1 of 2)

: having all necessary parts : not lacking anything

: not limited in any way

: not requiring more work : entirely done or completed

complete

verb

English Language Learners Definition of complete (Entry 2 of 2)

: to finish making or doing (something) : to bring (something) to an end or to a finished state

: to make (something) whole or perfect

American football : to throw (a forward pass) to a teammate who catches it

See the full definition for complete in the English Language Learners Dictionary

complete

adjective

com·plete | \ kəm-ˈplēt

Kids Definition of complete

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : having all necessary parts : not lacking anything a complete set of books

2 : entirely done His training is complete.

3 : thorough sense 1 complete darkness

complete

verb

completed; completing

Kids Definition of complete (Entry 2 of 2)

1 : to bring to an end : finish complete a job

2 : to make whole or perfect He needs six more state flags to complete his collection.

complete

adjective

com·plete | \ kəm-ˈplēt

Medical Definition of complete

1 of insect metamorphosis : characterized by the occurrence of a pupal stage between the motile immature stages and the adult — compare incomplete sense 1

2 of a bone fracture : characterized by a break passing entirely across the bone — compare incomplete sense 2

3 of a protein : containing all essential amino acids — compare incomplete sense 4

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