consummate

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adjective con·sum·mate \ˈkän(t)-sə-mət, kən-ˈsə-mət\

Definition of consummate

1 : complete in every detail : perfect a consummate model of a clipper ship
2 : extremely skilled and accomplished a consummate liar a consummate professional
3 : of the highest degree consummate skill consummate cruelty

consummately

adverb

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Examples of consummate in a Sentence

“How dare you!” Natalie screamed, in consummate frustration … —Joseph Wambaugh, The Black Marble, l978
… 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
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

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.

Origin and Etymology of consummate

Middle English consummat fulfilled, from Latin consummatus, past participle of consummare to sum up, finish, from com- + summa sum

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First Known Use: 15th century

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consummate

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verb con·sum·mate \ˈkän(t)-sə-ˌmāt\

Definition of consummate

consummated

;

consummating

transitive verb
1a : finish, complete consummate a business dealb : to make perfectc : achieve … his desire of consummating victory and revenge made him cautious … — Edward Bulwer-Lytton
2 : to make (marital union) complete by sexual intercourse consummate a marriage
intransitive verb
: to become perfected

consummative

play play \ˈkän(t)-sə-ˌmā-tiv, kən-ˈsə-mə-tiv\ adjective

consummator

play \ˈkän(t)-sə-ˌmāt-ər\ noun

See consummate defined for English-language learners

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.