Consuming
/kənˈsjuːmɪŋ/
Definitions
2 meaningsTo use up a resource, such as fuel, food, or time.
/kənˈsjuːmɪŋ/
Using up a resource.
The fire consumed the entire forest.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're eating a yummy pizza. When you eat it all, you *consume* it! It's like using something completely.
👶 For kids: To use something all up, like eating your whole snack!
More Examples
He consumed a large meal after the marathon.
The company is consuming a lot of resources.
How It's Used
"Businesses must carefully monitor their raw material consumption."
"The factory's excessive energy consumption is a major environmental concern."
Characterized by a strong, often overwhelming, emotion or interest.
/kənˈsjuːmɪŋ/
Characterized by an intense or overwhelming emotion or interest.
She had a consuming desire to travel the world.
💡 Simply: Imagine something that takes over your thoughts and feelings completely, like a super strong feeling of excitement or sadness. That's a consuming feeling.
👶 For kids: A feeling that takes up all your thoughts, like when you really, really want a toy.
More Examples
His consuming ambition was to become a doctor.
The detective became obsessed with solving the consuming mystery.
How It's Used
"The protagonist was driven by a consuming passion."
"His consuming grief made it difficult for him to focus on daily tasks."
Idioms & expressions
Time-consuming
Taking a lot of time to do.
"The editing process can be quite time-consuming."
Consumer durables
Goods that are not immediately consumed and are capable of enduring use.
"The sale of consumer durables often indicates consumer spending patterns."
From Middle English *consumen*, from Old French *consumer* (to destroy, waste), from Latin *consumere* (to take up wholly, waste, destroy), from *con-* (completely) + *sumere* (to take).
The verb 'consume' has been used since the 13th century, often in reference to destroying or using up resources. The adjective 'consuming' became common later, reflecting intense emotions.
Memory tip
Imagine eating all the cookies – you've consumed them!