complete

adjective

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 2

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

In this newlywed’s world apparently, excess isn’t complete without a little bedazzled party in the back. — Brooke Bobb, Vogue, "Hailey Bieber’s Stylist on That Alexander Wang Thong Dress at the Met Gala," 7 May 2019 When the Collection is complete it can be saved or shared. — Mark Hachman, PCWorld, "Here's how Microsoft Collections, Edge's new research tool, will work," 7 May 2019 But the mission wasn’t complete when the space capsule hit the water. — Joe Pappalardo, Popular Mechanics, "How It Works: SpaceX Dragon Capsule Splashdown and Recovery," 8 Mar. 2019 Fill it again and that column is complete for the game. — Nate Anderson, Ars Technica, "Eight great board games we played at PAX Unplugged," 8 Dec. 2018 The most wonderful time of the year isn't complete without watching Charlie Brown and his gang celebrate Christmas! — Maggie Maloney, Town & Country, "Mark Your Calendars! A Charlie Brown Christmas Will Air Tonight," 6 Dec. 2018 Scorpio — How the Grinch Stole Christmas A Scorpio holiday is not complete without an annual viewing of How the Grinch Stole Christmas. — Marilyn La Jeunesse, Teen Vogue, "The Best Christmas Movies to Watch According to Your Zodiac Sign," 26 Nov. 2018 While at the Cannes Film Festival in 2016, the actress tossed her lengths up into a red carpet topknot, complete with a royal-worthy tiara. — Jenna Rennert, Vogue, "Congrats, Blake Lively! A Look Back at Her Best Pregnancy Hair Looks," 3 May 2019 Meanwhile, her beau Travis Scott donned a serious Iron Man outfit, and their daughter, Stormi Webster, transformed into Thor, complete with a mini hammer. — Amy Mackelden, Harper's BAZAAR, "Kylie Jenner Just Took Out a Gigantic Billboard for Travis Scott's Birthday," 27 Apr. 2019

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

Mendes glowed in a sunny yellow feathered Prabal Gurung dress (complete with an exaggerated baby blue bow), and Melton matched her fly in his navy Sies Marjan suit, serving major blue steel. — Ineye Komonibo, Marie Claire, "The Camila Mendes & Charles Melton Relationship Timeline You Deserve," 15 May 2019 Some colleges also require a certain amount of credits to be completed before initiating a transfer. — Tamara Fuentes, Seventeen, "How To Transfer Colleges When You Think You Want To Switch Schools," 27 Dec. 2018 The Indiana native has completed 24 of 41 passes for 304 yards with a touchdown and an interception — mostly in mop-up duty — but has lent his athleticism as a receiver and ballcarrier with 14 catches for 62 yards and 76 carries for 506 yards. — Travis Johnson, The Seattle Times, "Penn State QB competition on hold as Stevens gets healthy," 13 Apr. 2019 The process is completed until a wooden tower is assembled. — Kraig Becker, Popular Mechanics, "How to Set Up Camp," 2 Apr. 2019 Although the first year of school can be completed online, the following two must be done in person. — Selena Barrientos, Good Housekeeping, "Tori Roloff Is Thrilled After 'Counting On' Star Jinger Duggar Shares BIG News on Instagram," 31 Mar. 2019 On March 15, 2019, Fox and National Geographic announced that the investigation had been completed, according to The Hollywood Reporter. — Anna North, Vox, "The sexual misconduct allegations against Neil deGrasse Tyson, explained," 15 Mar. 2019 The building was completed in 2015, and has 43 floors and only 88 residences. — Danielle Fox, ELLE Decor, "You Can Be Queen Elizabeth’s Neighbor in NYC for $30,000 a Month," 18 Jan. 2019 The choir was completed in 1170, the high altar in 1182. — Klara Glowczewska, Town & Country, "Notre Dame Cathedral Will Never Be the Same—and That's Ok," 19 Apr. 2019

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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Dictionary Entries near complete

Statistics for complete

Last Updated

23 May 2019

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for complete

The first known use of complete was in the 14th century

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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