consummate

1 of 2

adjective

con·​sum·​mate ˈkän(t)-sə-mət  kən-ˈsə-mət 

1

: extremely skilled and accomplished

a consummate storyteller/writer/violinist

a consummate professional

… the consummate actor who always gave his all in roles.

—Brooklyn White

2

: of the highest degree

consummate cruelty

Guest conductor Moon Doh expertly led the orchestra in a program of seasonal favorites, with consummate skill, intellect, and humor.

—Leanne Heaton

3

: complete in every detail : perfect

a consummate model of a clipper ship

consummately adverb

a consummately skillful pianist

consummate

2 of 2

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

Adjective

• skilled
• skillful
• adept
• proficient
• experienced
• expert
• good
• virtuoso

Verb

• complete
• finish

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.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

All this Roth builds into his remarkable prose constructed with consummate discipline, a keen awareness of his literary strengths as well as his limitations. —Literary Hub, 20 Oct. 2025

Most successful forgers were smart and creative people, and many of their forgeries were consummate, even ingenious. —JSTOR Daily, 16 Oct. 2025

Verb

The annulment, first reported by Sports Business Journal, came as a surprise, given that the parties had portrayed the deal as having been consummated. —Daniel Libit, Sportico.com, 30 Oct. 2025

Butts and Republic are wasting no time coming out of the gate with a new release to consummate the agreement. —Chris Willman, Variety, 30 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Adjective and Verb

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

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Verb

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