con·sum·mate
ˈkän(t)-sə-mət 
kən-ˈsə-mət
kən-ˈsə-mət
1
: extremely skilled and accomplished
a consummate liar
a consummate professional
2
: of the highest degree
consummate skill
consummate cruelty
3
: complete in every detail : perfect
a consummate model of a clipper ship
consummately
adverb
con·sum·mate
ˈkän(t)-sə-ˌmāt
consummated; consummating
1
: to make (marital union) complete by sexual intercourse
consummate a marriage
: to become perfected
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Are You Using consummate Correctly?
Consummate, which derives from the Latin verb consummare (meaning "to sum up" or "to finish"), has been used as an adjective in English since the 15th century. Some usage commentators feel the word is overused and others think it should be limited to the "perfect" sense (as in "a consummate little model of a clipper ship"), but neither of those positions is more than an opinion. All of the senses of the word are well-established and have served careful writers well for many, many years.
Examples of consummate in a Sentence
Adjective
… Berg, the consummate schmoozer, was the perfect spy for the job.
—
Dick Teresi, New York Times Book Review, 24 July 1994
To thrive in science, you must be both a consummate collaborator and a relentless competitor.
—Natalie Angier, New York Times Book Review, 6 Nov. 1988
The rest of his life (he lived for a few more years) was one great consummate silence.
—R. K. Narayan, "Under the Banyan Tree,"
in The Story and Its Writer, edited by Ann Charters, 1987
"How dare you!" Natalie screamed, in consummate frustration …
—Joseph Wambaugh, The Black Marble, 1978
He plays the piano with consummate skill.
consummate cabinetmakers, they produced desks and chests of drawers that are now regarded as masterpieces of American furniture
Verb
In part she had loved him for that, loved the tender understanding with which he had acquiesced to her wish not to consummate their relationship out of wedlock.
—Dorothy West, The Wedding, 1995
Once the sale was consummated, a thorough housecleaning took place in the advertising department …
—Brendan Gill, New York Times Book Review, 4 Oct. 1987
By prolonging the suspense and terror, he was needlessly delaying the reconciliation he himself was yearning so dearly to consummate.
—Joseph Heller, God Knows, 1984
The bargaining process went on for a few days, but the deal was never consummated.
Their happiness was consummated when their son was born.
Dick Teresi, New York Times Book Review, 24 July 1994
To thrive in science, you must be both a consummate collaborator and a relentless competitor.
—Natalie Angier, New York Times Book Review, 6 Nov. 1988
The rest of his life (he lived for a few more years) was one great consummate silence.
—R. K. Narayan, "Under the Banyan Tree,"
in The Story and Its Writer, edited by Ann Charters, 1987
"How dare you!" Natalie screamed, in consummate frustration …
—Joseph Wambaugh, The Black Marble, 1978
He plays the piano with consummate skill.
consummate cabinetmakers, they produced desks and chests of drawers that are now regarded as masterpieces of American furniture
Verb
In part she had loved him for that, loved the tender understanding with which he had acquiesced to her wish not to consummate their relationship out of wedlock.
—Dorothy West, The Wedding, 1995
Once the sale was consummated, a thorough housecleaning took place in the advertising department …
—Brendan Gill, New York Times Book Review, 4 Oct. 1987
By prolonging the suspense and terror, he was needlessly delaying the reconciliation he himself was yearning so dearly to consummate.
—Joseph Heller, God Knows, 1984
The bargaining process went on for a few days, but the deal was never consummated.
Their happiness was consummated when their son was born.
Recent Examples on the Web
Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 9 Feb. 2023
Nova — who died at 40, in 1975, from bone cancer — was a consummate rule breaker.
—Allyson McCabe, New York Times, 20 Jan. 2023
Quartz Intelligence Newsroom, Quartz, 27 Mar. 2025
For romantic thrills, people openly pursue extramarital affairs, though these aren’t necessarily consummated.
—Madeleine Feeny, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for consummate
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Adjective
He is known at the Capitol as a consummate political insider who serves as chief of staff for the Senate Democrats and a close ally of Senate President Pro Tem Martin Looney of New Haven.
—Christopher Keating, Hartford Courant, 9 Feb. 2023
Nova — who died at 40, in 1975, from bone cancer — was a consummate rule breaker.
—Allyson McCabe, New York Times, 20 Jan. 2023
Verb
The company has until August 5, 2025, to consummate a business combination, or it will be required to liquidate.
—Quartz Intelligence Newsroom, Quartz, 27 Mar. 2025
For romantic thrills, people openly pursue extramarital affairs, though these aren’t necessarily consummated.
—Madeleine Feeny, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for consummate
Cite this Entry
“Consummate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/consummate. Accessed 25 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
consummate
1 of 2 adjective
con·sum·mate
kən-ˈsəm-ət
ˈkän(t)-sə-mət
ˈkän(t)-sə-mət
: of the highest degree, quality, or skill
a consummate politician
consummately
adverb
consummate
2 of 2 verb
con·sum·mate
ˈkän(t)-sə-ˌmāt
consummated; consummating
: to make perfect or complete
consummation
noun
ˌkän(t)-sə-ˈmā-shən
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