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Completely Meaning, Usage & Common Mistakes (2 meaning)

Meaning 1:totally (completely)

completely 🔊
/kəmˈpliːtli/
adv.
To the fullest extent; 100%, with nothing left out.
Completely empty white bowl on wooden table, total absence of food
totally 🔊
/ˈtoʊtəli/
adv.
Meaning that something is done to the maximum degree, with nothing omitted.
📁 Category:Behaviors & Actions 🔖 Level:Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation
From Latin 'completus' (filled up): 'com-' (together) + 'plere' (to fill).
💡 Mnemonic
Think 'complete' + 'ly' = fully done. Remember: COMPLETE + LY = no gaps left.
📖 Example
I completely forgot about our meeting yesterday until you called me. 🔊 I completely forgot about our meeting yesterday until you called me.
🔗 Collocations
completely forgot – forgot in a total manner, with no memory left
completely understand – understand fully, without any confusion
completely different – different in every aspect, not at all similar
🔄 Synonyms
totally (adv.) – entirely, with all parts included
utterly (adv.) – completely, often used with negative or extreme qualities
entirely (adv.) – in every way, without any exception
🚫 Antonyms
partially (adv.) – to some extent, not completely
incompletely (adv.) – not fully, with parts missing
slightly (adv.) – to a small degree, far from complete
🌱 Derivatives
completeness (n.) – the state of being complete
completion (n.) – the act of finishing something
incomplete (adj.) – not complete, lacking some parts
📖 Cultural Story
Latin origin 'completus' meant 'filled up'. In English, 'completely' evolved as an intensifier emphasizing totality, used in both literal and figurative contexts since the 14th century.

Meaning 2:comprehensively (completely)

completely 🔊
/kəmˈpliːtli/
adv.
In every part or aspect; covering all details.
Completely empty construction site with bare concrete foundation slab
comprehensively 🔊
/ˌkɑːmprɪˈhensɪvli/
adv.
In every part or aspect; covering all details without exception.
📁 Category:School Education 🔖 Level:Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example
The plan failed completely; not a single objective was achieved. 🔊 The plan failed completely; not a single objective was achieved.
🔗 Collocations
completely failed – failed in all respects, no success at all
completely covered – covered entirely, with no part left uncovered
completely revised – revised thoroughly, changing every part
🔄 Synonyms
wholly (adv.) – entirely, without exception
fully (adv.) – to the greatest extent, with nothing omitted
altogether (adv.) – completely, in total
🚫 Antonyms
partially (adv.) – only to some degree, not covering all
incompletely (adv.) – not fully, with missing elements
selectively (adv.) – choosing only parts, not covering everything
🌱 Derivatives
completeness (n.) – the state of being whole
completion (n.) – the act of finishing
incompletely (adv.) – in a way that is not complete
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