incomplete

adjective

in·​com·​plete ˌin-kəm-ˈplēt How to pronounce incomplete (audio)
1
: not complete : unfinished: such as
a
: lacking a usually necessary part, element, or step
spoke in incomplete sentences
an incomplete set of golf clubs
an incomplete diet
b
of protein : deficient in one or more essential amino acids
People used to think you needed to eat incomplete proteins together in the same meal to make up a complete protein, but that view has been debunked; simply eat a variety of plant-based protein sources throughout the day and you'll be fine.Katherine Hobson
c
: lacking one or more sets of floral organs
an incomplete flower without stamens
2
of a football pass : not legally caught
3
of insect metamorphosis : characterized by the absence of a pupal stage between the immature stages and the adult of an insect in which the young usually resemble the adult compare complete sense 6
incompletely adverb
incompleteness noun

Examples of incomplete in a Sentence

an incomplete set of encyclopedias She handed in an incomplete assignment.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The construction for the project went slower than anticipated, and was incomplete in anticipation of flooding season, according to the Association of State Dam Safety Officials. Ishani Desai, Sacbee.com, 19 Aug. 2025 These systems often contain unmonitored, outdated and incomplete data, creating blind spots and risk. Expert Panel®, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2025 Advertisement In the episode pair’s final act, Echoes of Survivors makes a rushed, incomplete effort to place the murders in a more systemic context. Kayti Burt, Time, 15 Aug. 2025 On one play-action passing play, Willis threw high and incomplete for tight end Luke Musgrave. Matt Schneidman, New York Times, 15 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for incomplete

Word History

Etymology

Middle English incompleet, from Late Latin incompletus, from Latin in- + completus complete

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of incomplete was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Incomplete.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/incomplete. Accessed 24 Aug. 2025.

Kids Definition

incomplete

adjective
in·​com·​plete ˌin-kəm-ˈplēt How to pronounce incomplete (audio)
: not complete : lacking some part
handed in an incomplete assignment
incompletely adverb
incompleteness noun

Medical Definition

incomplete

adjective
in·​com·​plete ˌin-kəm-ˈplēt How to pronounce incomplete (audio)
1
of insect metamorphosis : having no pupal stage between the immature stages and the adult with the young insect usually resembling the adult compare complete sense 1
2
of a bone fracture : not broken entirely across compare complete sense 2
3
of a protein : deficient in one or more essential amino acids compare complete sense 3
4
: characterized by incomplete dominance
an incomplete trait

More from Merriam-Webster on incomplete

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