Consummate
/ˈkɒnsəmɪt/
Definitions
3 meaningsTo make a marriage or relationship complete by having sexual intercourse.
/ˈkɒnsəmeɪt/
To make a marriage or relationship complete by having sex.
The couple consummated their marriage on their wedding night.
💡 Simply: Imagine two people just got married. 'Consummating' their marriage means they officially make it real with a special moment. It’s like putting the final piece in a puzzle.
👶 For kids: When two people get married, sometimes they do something special to make their marriage complete, and that's called consummating.
More Examples
The vows, the ceremony, and the kiss all led to the moment they consummated their commitment.
How It's Used
"The marriage was consummated after the ceremony."
To complete or perfect something, often an action or a process.
/ˈkɒnsəmeɪt/
To make something perfect or complete; to achieve.
The contract was consummated with a handshake.
💡 Simply: Think about finishing a really difficult project that you’ve been working on for ages. 'Consummating' it means you've finally done it perfectly, bringing it to its ideal state, like finally getting to eat a perfectly cooked steak!
👶 For kids: Consummate means to make something perfect or finish it in a really good way, like when you finish building a big LEGO castle.
More Examples
She consummated her victory with a final, perfect performance.
After years of hard work, he finally consummated his ambition.
How It's Used
"The deal was consummated after months of negotiation."
"The artist consummated his masterpiece after years of labor."
Highly skilled and accomplished; perfect or complete in every way.
/ˈkɒnsəmɪt/
Showing a high degree of skill and flair; perfect or complete.
He was a consummate musician.
💡 Simply: Imagine someone is absolutely brilliant at something, like a chef who can cook the most incredible meals. Describing them as 'consummate' means they are at the very top of their game, a true master, similar to Michael Jordan's basketball abilities
👶 For kids: If someone is consummate, it means they are really, really good at something, like a superhero who can do everything perfectly!
More Examples
Her consummate skill as a negotiator helped to close the deal.
The consummate artist created a masterpiece.
How It's Used
"She was a consummate professional, always prepared and organized."
"A consummate athlete with an exceptional performance record."
Idioms & expressions
consummate liar
A person who is extremely skilled at lying.
"He was known as a consummate liar, able to deceive anyone."
consummate skill
Exceptional ability in a specific area.
"The surgeon's consummate skill saved the patient's life."
From Latin *consummatus*, past participle of *consummare* 'to bring to completion', from *con-* 'with, together' + *summa* 'sum, total'.
The word has been used since the 15th century and originally related to bringing something to completion, with a specific meaning for marriage appearing later.
Memory tip
Think of 'sum' - bringing things together to the ultimate point of completion in a marriage.