completionist: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Informal
Quick answer
What does “completionist” mean?
A person who feels compelled to finish or complete a collection, task, or project, often with meticulous attention to detail.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A person who feels compelled to finish or complete a collection, task, or project, often with meticulous attention to detail.
Particularly common in gaming, referring to a player who aims to achieve 100% of a game's objectives, collect all items, or unlock all achievements. Can extend to any hobbyist who pursues exhaustive completeness in a systematic way.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. The concept is identical. Spelling follows regional norms ('-our' in British English is irrelevant here).
Connotations
Identical connotations in both varieties: hobbyist dedication, sometimes with positive admiration for persistence, sometimes with a hint of obsessive compulsion.
Frequency
Equally low in general corpora. Its frequency is tied directly to the popularity of video game culture, which is significant in both regions. Slightly more established in American English due to the larger gaming industry presence.
Grammar
How to Use “completionist” in a Sentence
[completionist] + [preposition] + [object] (e.g., a completionist about stamps)[adjective] + [completionist] (e.g., a obsessive completionist)[completionist] + [verb] (e.g., completionists strive...)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “completionist” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- His completionist approach meant he spent 200 hours finding every last collectible in the game.
- She has a very completionist mentality when it comes to her stamp album.
American English
- That's a very completionist thing to do—who needs all 900 Korok seeds?
- His completionist playthrough was documented in a 50-part YouTube series.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might describe a project manager obsessed with tying up every loose end, but 'meticulous' or 'thorough' are preferred.
Academic
Very rare. Could appear in media studies or game theory papers analysing player behaviour.
Everyday
Low. Understood mainly by younger generations familiar with gaming; would need explanation in general conversation.
Technical
Common in gaming journalism, player forums, game design discussions, and achievement/trophy tracking websites.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “completionist”
Strong
Neutral
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “completionist”
- Using it as an adjective (e.g., 'He is very completionist') – while understood, the standard adjectival form is 'completionist' used attributively (e.g., 'completionist mindset') or 'completist'.
- Confusing it with 'perfectionist' – a perfectionist focuses on flawless quality, a completionist on exhaustive quantity and checked boxes.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it is a recognized, though informal, word. It is listed in several dictionaries, including Merriam-Webster and Oxford English Dictionary, due to its established use in gaming and hobbyist communities.
They are largely synonymous. 'Completist' is slightly older and was originally used for collectors (e.g., of books or records). 'Completionist' arose specifically from video game culture. In modern usage, especially around gaming, 'completionist' is more common.
Informally, yes, in an attributive position (e.g., 'completionist goals'). However, the dedicated adjective is 'completist'. In formal writing, it's safer to use phrases like 'driven by a completionist mentality'.
It is context-dependent. In gaming, it is often a neutral or positive sign of dedication and mastery. In other areas of life, it can veer into negative connotations of obsession, compulsion, or an inability to prioritise, similar to extreme perfectionism.
A person who feels compelled to finish or complete a collection, task, or project, often with meticulous attention to detail.
Completionist is usually informal in register.
Completionist: in British English it is pronounced /kəmˈpliːʃ(ə)nɪst/, and in American English it is pronounced /kəmˈpliːʃənɪst/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[Have/be] a completionist streak”
- “Go full completionist on something”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'complete' + '-ion' (noun) + '-ist' (person who does). A COMPLETIONIST is a person who insists on COMPLETION.
Conceptual Metaphor
LIFE IS A GAME WITH ACHIEVEMENTS / COLLECTING IS A QUEST FOR WHOLENESS.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'completionist' MOST commonly and naturally used?