Meaning & use
completely
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Meanings
adverb
In every way; totally; to the greatest degree possible.
Grammar: Used to modify adjectives, verbs, or other adverbs. It usually comes before the word it modifies.
Patterns
- completely + adjective
- completely + verb
- completely + adverb
The room was completely dark.
I completely forgot to call you.
She completely understood what I meant.
adverb
Used to emphasize that something is done thoroughly or in full.
Grammar: Often used with verbs like 'change', 'different', 'destroy', 'forget' to show a strong degree.
Patterns
- completely different
- completely change
- completely destroy
The city was completely destroyed by the earthquake.
His answer was completely different from mine.
She completely changed her mind.
Common combinations
- completely different
- Their opinions are completely different.
- completely forgot
- I completely forgot about the meeting.
- completely understand
- I completely understand your concern.
- completely new
- This is a completely new experience for me.
Synonyms and how they differ
- totally
- Very similar to 'completely', but 'totally' can be slightly more informal.
- entirely
- More formal than 'completely' and often used in writing.
- fully
- Often used with verbs like 'understand' or 'recover' to mean 'completely'.
Opposites
Word family
- complete adjective
- Meaning whole or finished.
- completion noun
- The act of finishing something.
Commonly confused: completely or complete?
completely vs complete
'Complete' is an adjective or verb; 'completely' is an adverb. Use 'completely' to modify verbs or adjectives.
Practice
Choose the correct word: 'I ________ forgot to bring my keys.'
Choose one answer.
The adverb 'completely' is needed to modify the verb 'forgot'. 'Complete' is an adjective or verb, 'completion' is a noun, and 'completing' is a verb form, so they do not fit here.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “completely”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.