consummate

verb

con·​sum·​mate ˈkän(t)-sə-ˌmāt 

consummated; consummating

transitive verb

1

: to make (marital union) complete by sexual intercourse

consummate a marriage

2

a

: finish, complete

The deal, which the parties hope to consummate early next year, is expected to result in a combined organization with … 650 employees and nearly $4 billion in total assets.

—Lucas High

b

: to make perfect

c

: achieve

… after consummating my escape, as I thought, from these goblins …

—Nathaniel Hawthorne

intransitive verb

: to become perfected

consummative

ˈkän(t)-sə-ˌmā-tiv  kən-ˈsə-mə-tiv 

adjective

consummator

ˈkän(t)-sə-ˌmāt-ər 

noun

Did you know?

Consummate is a consummate example of a word that’s shifted in meaning over the centuries. A 15th century addition to the language ultimately from Latin consummare, meaning “to sum up, finish,” the word first described something that has been brought to completion. Shakespeare used the word this way in Measure for Measure: “Do you the office, friar; which consummate, Return him here again.” By the early 16th century consummate had taken on the meaning of “complete in every detail.” Today it usually describes someone or something extremely skilled and accomplished, but it can also describe that which is supremely excellent, as well as that which is simply extreme.

Synonyms of consummate

• complete
• finish

Examples of consummate in a Sentence

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

Consumers and state attorneys general are among several groups, which also include the Justice Department, the FCC and the European Union, that could pose an obstacle to consummating the merger. —Winston Cho, HollywoodReporter, 10 June 2026

Separately on Wednesday, Paramount said in an SEC filing that on June 9, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) approved the Paramount-WBD merger may be consummated, subject to expiration of a 14-calendar day waiting period that expires June 23, 2026. —Todd Spangler, Variety, 10 June 2026

In the event a development agreement is consummated, Green would be required to purchase the East Village site. —Lori Weisberg, San Diego Union-Tribune, 8 June 2026

Contracts have not been signed, but all parties are optimistic the deal will be consummated, according to a source and CBS Sports, which first reported the story. —Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 3 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

First Known Use

circa 1525, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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Kids Definition

consummate

1 of 2 adjective

con·​sum·​mate kən-ˈsəm-ət  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

ˌkän(t)-sə-ˈmā-shən

noun