Consumed
/kənˈsjuːmd/
Definitions
3 meaningsTo eat or drink something; to use up or deplete a resource.
/kənˈsjuːmd/
To eat, drink, or ingest (food or drink)
The hungry child quickly consumed the entire plate of cookies.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're REALLY hungry and gobble up your favorite pizza! You *consume* it, meaning you eat it all up. You can also *consume* other things like your time on a hobby or your monthly income.
👶 For kids: To eat or drink something.
More Examples
The power plant consumes a large amount of coal to generate electricity.
He consumed his disappointment silently.
How It's Used
"She consumed her breakfast quickly."
"The body consumes nutrients to maintain energy levels."
To use something up; to spend or use resources.
/kənˈsjuːmd/
To use up (a resource)
The project consumed all of her time.
💡 Simply: If you use all your money on fun stuff, you *consume* your income. Or if a machine uses all the fuel, it has consumed the fuel. It just means it used it all up.
👶 For kids: To use something completely.
More Examples
The country consumed a large portion of its budget on defense.
The fire consumed the entire forest.
How It's Used
"The company's profits were consumed by rising costs."
"The factory consumes large quantities of water in its manufacturing process."
To be completely engrossed or overwhelmed by something, typically a feeling or thought.
/kənˈsjuːmd/
To be completely engrossed in something
She was consumed by guilt over her mistake.
💡 Simply: When you're super interested and focused on something, like a book or a game, you're almost *consumed* by it. Or maybe you're really worried about something, like a test, and your worry *consumes* your thoughts.
👶 For kids: When you're super, super focused on something.
More Examples
He was consumed with jealousy of his friend's success.
The artist was consumed by his work.
How It's Used
"He was consumed by grief after the loss of his pet."
"She was consumed by anxiety about the upcoming exam."
Idioms & expressions
Consumed by fire
Literally, to be destroyed by fire; figuratively, to be overwhelmed by a strong emotion.
"The building was consumed by fire."
From Middle English *consumen*, from Old French *consomer* ('to use up, destroy'), from Latin *consumere* ('to eat up, devour, waste'), from *con-* (intensive prefix) + *sumere* ('to take, use').
The word's usage dates back to the 14th century, originally referring to the act of destroying or using something up. Shakespeare frequently used it.
Memory tip
Think of a fire *consuming* wood – it's using it up.
Word Origin
"to take entirely, use up"