completely
B1Pronunciation
UK
- /kəmplˈiːtli/
US
- /kəmˈplitli/
Description
- totally
- entirely
- fully
To do something completely means to do it fully, without leaving anything out. It's more than just "a lot" – it's all of it! Imagine building a tower with blocks; if you build it completely, you finish the whole tower, with every block in the right place. Or think about finishing a book—when you read it completely, you reach the final page and take in the whole story. Sometimes, "completely" emphasizes how strongly you feel something, like being completely exhausted after a long hike or completely surprised by a gift.
The word "completely" is an adverb that signals totality, fullness, or the highest degree. It indicates that something has been done, experienced, or understood without any omissions or holding back. Think of it as the ultimate intensifier—it takes a quality and pushes it to its absolute limit.
You might say a task is done completely, meaning every step was finished with no loose ends. A chef might season a dish completely, making sure the flavor reaches every bite. Or, someone might be completely honest, revealing all truths without holding back.
"Completely" isn't just about finishing things; it also describes states of being. You can be completely satisfied with an outcome, completely overwhelmed by a situation, or completely devoted to a cause. It emphasizes the absolute nature of these feelings and experiences.
Sometimes "completely" is used for emphasis, even when something isn't literally 100%. Saying you are "completely sure" might mean you're very confident, but not necessarily absolutely certain. The context often clarifies whether it means literal totality or a high degree of intensity.
So, if you want to emphasize that something is done without exception, experienced in its fullest form, or felt with unwavering intensity—reach for the word "completely." It's a powerful little word that leaves no room for doubt.
Examples
- 1
Empty room
The room was completely empty when we arrived.
- 2
Memory lapse
I completely forgot about our meeting.
- 3
Comparison
Her new apartment is completely different from the old one.
- 4
Pain relief
The pain disappeared completely after a few days.
- 5
Partial certainty
I'm not completely sure what he meant.
Phrase
not completely
only partly
- 6
Changed opinion
That conversation completely changed my mind.
- 7
Muddy shoes
By the end of the hike, our shoes were completely covered in mud.
Pattern
covered in + substance
with a lot of it on the surface
- 8
Agreement
We completely agree on that point.
Pattern
agree on + topic
have the same opinion about it
- 9
Recovery
After a few months, she had completely recovered from the accident.
- 10
Losing control
By midnight, the situation was completely out of control.
Phrase
out of control
no longer manageable
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- completelyadverb