complete
B1Neutral to formal
Definition
Meaning
Having all necessary parts or elements; finished.
To make whole or perfect; to finish making or doing something.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
As an adjective, 'complete' can describe a finished state, a thorough quality, or an absolute degree. As a verb, it refers to the action of finishing. The adverbial form 'completely' is high frequency.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Primarily spelling differences in derived forms (e.g., 'completing' vs. 'completing'—no difference). Usage is largely identical, though the verb is slightly more common in formal/business contexts in both varieties.
Connotations
Identical connotations of thoroughness, totality, and finality.
Frequency
Very high frequency in both varieties, with the adjective form being more common than the verb.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[verb] complete + noun (complete the project)[adjective] complete + noun (a complete disaster)[adjective] be + complete (The process is now complete.)[adverb] completely + adjective/verb (completely different/finished)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “complete with (featuring, having as an extra)”
- “the complete package”
- “a complete washout”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used for finishing tasks/projects ("Please complete the report by Friday") and describing total situations ("a complete market failure").
Academic
Describes thorough research ("a complete analysis") or finished works ("the complete poems of...").
Everyday
Common for describing feelings or states ("That's complete rubbish!") and finishing chores ("I need to complete this level").
Technical
In computing: "complete installation"; in mathematics: "complete graph"; in logic: "complete proof".
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- You must complete the application online.
- The builder will complete the work next week.
- She completed her degree with first-class honours.
American English
- You need to complete the form and return it.
- The team completed the project ahead of schedule.
- He hasn't completed his community service yet.
adverb
British English
- That's a completely different matter.
- I completely forgot about our meeting.
- The house was completely destroyed in the fire.
American English
- That's a completely different issue.
- I totally/completely agree with you.
- The town was completely rebuilt after the storm.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The puzzle is complete.
- Please complete this sentence.
- My homework is complete.
- We need one more player to complete the team.
- The movie was a complete success.
- I completely understand your point.
- The investigation is now complete and a report will follow.
- His recovery was nothing short of complete.
- The new software update is completely incompatible with older systems.
- The ensemble's performance was a consummate and complete interpretation of the symphony.
- The merger will not be complete until regulatory approval is secured.
- Her argument was compelling, yet not entirely complete in its historical analysis.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a plate (sounds like 'plete') that is completely full. 'Com-PLATE' = having everything on the plate.
Conceptual Metaphor
WHOLENESS IS COMPLETENESS (e.g., 'circle is complete'), FINISHING IS FILLING A CONTAINER (e.g., 'complete the questionnaire').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid using 'complete' for 'complex' or 'complicated' (Russian 'сложный').
- Do not confuse adjective 'complete' (полный, законченный) with adverb 'completely' (совершенно, полностью) in sentence structure.
- In Russian, 'complete' as a verb often translates as 'завершить', but the English verb is less formal in many contexts.
Common Mistakes
- *I am complete the task. (Wrong verb form) -> I have completed/I will complete the task.
- *It was a complete surprised. (Wrong part of speech) -> It was a complete surprise.
- *He is a complete stranger for me. (Wrong preposition) -> He is a complete stranger to me.
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is 'complete' used as an ADVERB?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It depends. As a verb: 'complete by [date/time]' (deadline), 'complete with [tool/feature]' (accompanied by). As an adjective: 'complete with' (having as an included feature).
They are often interchangeable as verbs. 'Complete' can sound more formal or imply fulfilling all necessary parts of a defined task. 'Finish' is more general for ending any activity.
Yes, but careful with meaning. 'I am completing the form' (activity in progress) is fine. 'The process is being complete' is incorrect; use 'The process is being completed' (passive) or 'The process is complete' (adjective).
Yes, though some purists avoid it. 'Complete' is often considered an absolute adjective (something is either complete or not). However, in practice, 'more complete' is widely used to mean 'more thorough' or 'closer to completion'.