complete

(kəm-plētˈ)

adjective com·plet·er, com·plet·est

1. Having all necessary or normal parts, components, or steps; entire: a complete meal.
2. Botany Having all principal parts, namely, the sepals, petals, stamens, and pistil or pistils. Used of a flower.
3. Having come to an end; concluded.
4. Absolute; total: “In Cairo I have seen buildings which were falling down as they were being put up, buildings whose incompletion was complete” (William H. Gass).
5. a. Skilled; accomplished: a complete musician.
   b. Thorough; consummate: a complete coward.
6. Football Caught in bounds by a receiver: a complete pass.

transitive verb com·plet·ed, com·plet·ing, com·pletes

1. To bring to a finish or an end: She has completed her studies.
2. To make whole, with all necessary elements or parts: A second child would complete their family.
3. Football To throw (a forward pass) so as to be caught by a receiver.

Related Forms:

• com·pleteˈly adverb

• com·pleteˈness noun

• com·pleˈtive adjective

Usage Note: Complete is sometimes considered absolute like perfect or chief, which is not subject to comparison. Nonetheless, it can be qualified as more or less, for example. A majority of the Usage Panel accepts the example His book is the most complete treatment of the subject. See Usage Note at absolute.