Compleat vs. Complete: Difference and Comparison
Edited by Muazma Batool — By Muneeza Rehman — Updated on September 14, 2023
"Compleat" is an archaic term denoting a skilled, accomplished individual. While, "complete" means finished or whole.
Difference Between Compleat and Complete
"Compleat" and "complete" are two distinct words in the English language with different meanings, though they sound quite similar. "Compleat" is an older spelling, primarily used to describe someone who is very accomplished or skilled in a particular area. This use is less common in contemporary English, but can still be found in some literary contexts or as a stylistic choice. On the other hand, "complete" is a widely-used term that describes something that is whole, finished, or entire.
Muazma Batool
Sep 14, 2023
"Compleat" traces its origins to Middle English and was once a more regular spelling variant. When you see "compleat" today, it often has an old-fashioned or poetic nuance. It evokes a sense of mastery or thoroughness in a particular skill or field. For example, one might refer to a "compleat angler" when speaking of someone exceptionally skilled at fishing. "Complete", in contrast, is a term that you would commonly find in everyday conversation and written texts. It indicates that something is full, has all its parts, or has been finished.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 14, 2023
In literature and classic texts, "compleat" might be used as a stylistic choice to give a text an archaic or sophisticated feel. It’s a word that carries with it a weight of tradition and expertise. "Complete", being more modern and common, does not have this same nuance. Instead, it is functional and straightforward, simply indicating that something is lacking nothing or has reached its end.
Muazma Batool
Sep 14, 2023
When you're deciding between "compleat" and "complete", consider the context and the message you want to convey. Using "compleat" in a modern setting might come across as affected or pretentious unless it's used with a specific purpose in mind. "Complete" will always be a safer choice for most contemporary contexts since it’s familiar and easily understood.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 14, 2023
Compleat vs. Complete Comparison Chart
Definition
Denotes a skilled, accomplished individual
Means finished or whole
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 14, 2023
Common Usage
Rare, mostly in literary contexts
Widely used in everyday language
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 14, 2023
Compleat vs. Complete Definitions
◉Compleat
Highly proficient or accomplished.
He is a compleat musician, mastering several instruments.
Levi
Sep 14, 2023
◉Complete
Having all necessary or normal parts, components, or steps; entire
a complete medical history.
a complete set of dishes.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Complete
(Botany) Having all principal parts, namely, the sepals, petals, stamens, and pistil or pistils. Used of a flower.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Complete
Having come to an end; concluded
The renovation of the kitchen is complete.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Compleat
Thorough in every aspect.
The compleat gentleman was versed in both arts and sciences.
Elijah
Sep 14, 2023
◉Compleat
Perfect in all respects.
A compleat representation of classical architecture.
William
Sep 14, 2023
◉Compleat
Of or characterized by a highly developed or wide-ranging skill or proficiency
"The compleat speechwriter ... comes to anonymity from Harvard Law" (Israel Shenker).
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Compleat
Being an outstanding example of a kind; quintessential
"Here was the compleat modern misfit.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Complete
To make whole, with all necessary elements or parts
A second child would complete their family. Fill in the blanks to complete the form.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Complete
(Football) To throw (a forward pass) that is caught in bounds by a receiver.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Complete
(ambitransitive) To finish; to make done; to reach the end.
He completed the assignment on time.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Complete
(transitive) To make whole or entire.
The last chapter completes the book nicely.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Complete
With all parts included; with nothing missing; full.
My life will be complete once I buy this new television.
She offered me complete control of the project.
After she found the rook, the chess set was complete.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Complete
Finished; ended; concluded; completed.
When your homework is complete, you can go and play with Martin.
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May 03, 2023
◉Complete
Generic intensifier.
He is a complete bastard!
It was a complete shock when he turned up on my doorstep.
Our vacation was a complete disaster.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Complete
In which every Cauchy sequence converges to a point within the space.
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May 03, 2023
◉Complete
In which every set with a lower bound has a greatest lower bound.
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May 03, 2023
◉Complete
In which every semantically valid well-formed formula is provable.
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May 03, 2023
◉Complete
That is in a given complexity class and is such that every other problem in the class can be reduced to it (usually in polynomial time or logarithmic space).
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May 03, 2023
◉Complete
Filled up; with no part or element lacking; free from deficiency; entire; perfect; consummate.
Ye are complete in him.
That thou, dead corse, again in complete steelRevisit'st thus the glimpses of the moon.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Complete
Finished; ended; concluded; completed; as, the edifice is complete.
This course of vanity almost complete.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Complete
Having all the parts or organs which belong to it or to the typical form; having calyx, corolla, stamens, and pistil.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Complete
To bring to a state in which there is no deficiency; to perfect; to consummate; to accomplish; to fulfill; to finish; as, to complete a task, or a poem; to complete a course of education.
Bred only and completed to the tasteOf lustful appetence.
And, to complete her bliss, a fool for mate.
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Complete
come or bring to a finish or an end;
He finished the dishes
She completed the requirements for her Master's Degree
The fastest runner finished the race in just over 2 hours; others finished in over 4 hours
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Complete
bring to a whole, with all the necessary parts or elements;
A child would complete the family
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Complete
write all the required information onto a form;
fill out this questionnaire, please!
make out a form
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Complete
having every necessary or normal part or component or step;
a complete meal
a complete wardrobe
a complete set pf the Britannica
a complete set of china
a complete defeat
a complete accounting
an incomplete flower
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Complete
perfect and complete in every respect; having all necessary qualities;
a complete gentleman
consummate happiness
a consummate performance
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Complete
having all four whorls or principal parts--sepals and petals and stamens and carpels (or pistils);
complete flowers
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Complete
without qualification; used informally as (often pejorative) intensifiers;
an arrant fool
a complete coward
a consummate fool
a double-dyed villain
gross negligence
a perfect idiot
pure folly
what a sodding mess
stark staring mad
a thoroughgoing villain
utter nonsense
Muneeza Rehman
May 03, 2023
◉Complete
having come or been brought to a conclusion;
the harvesting was complete
the affair is over, ended, finished
the abruptly terminated interview
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May 03, 2023
◉Complete
Having all necessary parts, elements, or steps.
The book collection is now complete.
Kaitlyn
Sep 14, 2023
◉Complete
Having all the required qualifications.
He's a complete doctor with multiple specializations.
Olivia
Sep 14, 2023
◉Complete
To make whole or entire.
He needs three more stamps to complete his collection.
Muazma Batool
Sep 14, 2023
Compleat vs. Complete Frequently Asked Questions
Why might someone use compleat instead of complete?
It can provide an old-fashioned or poetic nuance, indicating mastery or thoroughness.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 14, 2023
Is compleat commonly used in modern English?
No, it's less common and is mostly found in literary contexts or as a stylistic choice.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 14, 2023
Can I use complete and compleat interchangeably?
Not always. While "compleat" can mean "complete", its primary use is to describe an accomplished individual.
Lucas
Sep 14, 2023
Is the term "compleat angler" about fishing?
Yes, it refers to someone exceptionally skilled at fishing.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 14, 2023
Does compleat have a modern equivalent?
Yes, in many contexts, "complete" serves as its modern counterpart.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 14, 2023
How is complete different from compleat?
"Complete" refers to something finished or whole, while "compleat" denotes a skilled individual.
Muazma Batool
Sep 14, 2023
What does compleat mean?
It's an archaic term indicating someone highly proficient or accomplished in a particular area.
Muneeza Rehman
Sep 14, 2023
Can I use compleat in formal writing?
Yes, but ensure it fits the context and doesn't come across as affected.
Lucas
Sep 14, 2023
Is complete derived from compleat?
No, "complete" has its roots in Latin, while "compleat" traces back to Middle English.
Henry
Sep 14, 2023
Why do some classic texts use compleat instead of complete?
It's a stylistic choice to give the text an archaic or sophisticated feel.
Muazma Batool
Sep 14, 2023
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