complete
♦♦♦ com|plete /kəmpl'iːt/ (completes completing completed)
1 [ADJ] usu ADJ n
You use complete to emphasize that something is as great in extent, degree, or amount as it possibly can be.
The rebels had taken complete control...
It shows a complete lack of understanding by management...
The resignation came as a complete surprise...
He was the complete opposite of Raymond.
= total, absolute
≠ partial
● completely [ADV] ADV with v, ADV adj/adv
Dozens of flats had been completely destroyed...
...something completely different.
= totally
2 [ADJ] ADJ n
You can use complete to emphasize that you are referring to the whole of something and not just part of it.
A complete tenement block was burnt to the ground...
The job sheets eventually filled a complete book.
= entire, whole
3 [ADJ]
If something is complete, it contains all the parts that it should contain.
The list may not be complete.
...a complete dinner service...
● completeness [N-UNCOUNT]
...the accuracy and completeness of the information obtained.
4 [VERB] no cont, V n
To complete a set or group means to provide the last item that is needed to make it a full set or group.
...the stickers needed to complete the collection.
5 [ADJ] ADJ n
The complete works of a writer are all their books or poems published together in one book or as a set of books.
...the Complete Works of William Shakespeare.
6 [PREP-PHRASE] PREP n
If one thing comes complete with another, it has that thing as an extra or additional part.
The diary comes complete with a gold-coloured ballpoint pen.
7 [ADJ] v-link ADJ
If something is complete, it has been finished.
The work of restoring the farmhouse is complete...
It'll be two years before the process is complete.
≠ incomplete
8 [VERB] V n, get n V-ed
If you complete something, you finish doing, making, or producing it.
Peter Mayle has just completed his first novel.
...the rush to get the stadiums completed on time.
● completion [N-VAR]
The project is nearing completion...
House completions for the year should be up from 1,841 to 2,200.
9 [VERB] no cont, V n, V n
If you complete something, you do all of it.
She completed her degree in two years...
This book took years to complete.
= finish
10 [VERB] V n, V-ed
If you complete a form or questionnaire, you write the answers or information asked for in it.
Simply complete the coupon below...
Use the enclosed envelope to return your completed survey.
= fill in
1 [ADJ] usu ADJ n
You use complete to emphasize that something is as great in extent, degree, or amount as it possibly can be.
The rebels had taken complete control...
It shows a complete lack of understanding by management...
The resignation came as a complete surprise...
He was the complete opposite of Raymond.
= total, absolute
≠ partial
● completely [ADV] ADV with v, ADV adj/adv
Dozens of flats had been completely destroyed...
...something completely different.
= totally
2 [ADJ] ADJ n
You can use complete to emphasize that you are referring to the whole of something and not just part of it.
A complete tenement block was burnt to the ground...
The job sheets eventually filled a complete book.
= entire, whole
3 [ADJ]
If something is complete, it contains all the parts that it should contain.
The list may not be complete.
...a complete dinner service...
● completeness [N-UNCOUNT]
...the accuracy and completeness of the information obtained.
4 [VERB] no cont, V n
To complete a set or group means to provide the last item that is needed to make it a full set or group.
...the stickers needed to complete the collection.
5 [ADJ] ADJ n
The complete works of a writer are all their books or poems published together in one book or as a set of books.
...the Complete Works of William Shakespeare.
6 [PREP-PHRASE] PREP n
If one thing comes complete with another, it has that thing as an extra or additional part.
The diary comes complete with a gold-coloured ballpoint pen.
7 [ADJ] v-link ADJ
If something is complete, it has been finished.
The work of restoring the farmhouse is complete...
It'll be two years before the process is complete.
≠ incomplete
8 [VERB] V n, get n V-ed
If you complete something, you finish doing, making, or producing it.
Peter Mayle has just completed his first novel.
...the rush to get the stadiums completed on time.
● completion [N-VAR]
The project is nearing completion...
House completions for the year should be up from 1,841 to 2,200.
9 [VERB] no cont, V n, V n
If you complete something, you do all of it.
She completed her degree in two years...
This book took years to complete.
= finish
10 [VERB] V n, V-ed
If you complete a form or questionnaire, you write the answers or information asked for in it.
Simply complete the coupon below...
Use the enclosed envelope to return your completed survey.
= fill in