consummate

[ verb kon-suh-meyt; adjective kuhn-suhm-it, kon-suh-mit ]

verb (used with object)

, con·sum·mat·ed, con·sum·mat·ing.

1. to bring to a state of perfection; fulfill.

   Synonyms: achieve, accomplish, finish, perfect, complete

2. to complete (an arrangement, agreement, or the like) by a pledge or the signing of a contract:

   The company consummated its deal to buy a smaller firm.

3. to complete (the union of a marriage) by the first marital sexual intercourse.

adjective

1. complete or perfect; supremely skilled; superb:

   a consummate master of the violin.

   Antonyms: unfinished, imperfect

2. being of the highest or most extreme degree:

   a work of consummate skill; an act of consummate savagery.

consummate

verb

1. to bring to completion or perfection; fulfil
2. to complete (a marriage) legally by sexual intercourse

adjective

1. accomplished or supremely skilled

   a consummate artist

2. prenominal (intensifier)

   a consummate fool

Derived Forms

• conˈsummately, adverb
• ˈconsumˌmative, adjective
• ˌconsumˈmation, noun
• ˈconsumˌmator, noun

Other Words From

• con·summate·ly adverb
• consum·mative con·sum·ma·to·ry [k, uh, n-, suhm, -, uh, -tawr-ee, -tohr-ee], adjective
• consum·mator noun
• half-consum·mated adjective
• uncon·summate adjective
• uncon·summate·ly adverb
• un·consum·mated adjective
• un·consum·mative adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of consummate¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English (adjective), from Latin consummātus “completed,” past participle of consummāre “to complete, bring to perfection,” from con- con- + summ(a) sum + -āre, infinitive verb suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of consummate¹

C15: from Latin consummāre to complete, from summus highest, utmost

Example Sentences

It is perhaps not a coincidence that when Vi and Caitlyn finally consummate their relationship, the literal seduction is linked to Vi’s figurative succumbing to Caitlyn’s politics: She accepts the badge, with all of the raw emotion of a zealous new recruit to a supposedly noble cause.

From Salon

A consummate professional, she turned it into a punchline and continued with the act.

From Salon

It’s the type of venue that would appeal to Trump, a New York City native who reveled in his reputation as the consummate Big Apple billionaire businessman and sought-after bachelor, long before he ran for office.

From Los Angeles Times

“Through the years, he’s grown physically and matured at 6-9, 210 pounds with a college-ready body and skill set that affords him to play any position one to five. He’s a consummate worker. I can’t be prouder of his development and growth.”

From Los Angeles Times

“Tim,” replied the consummate gaslighter, “I’m focused on the future.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• accomplished
• gifted
• polished
• skilled
• superb
• superlative
• talented