/kəmˈplits/
completes is pronounced /kəmˈplits/. Completes is a verb meaning to finish or bring to a conclusion, or, in some contexts, to add information to a form to make it whole. It denotes finalizing an action or making something whole by filling in missing parts. In grammar, it can appear as third-person singular present tense or as a noun in rare, formal uses referring to complete items.
Say it backCompletes is a verb meaning to finish or bring to a conclusion, or, in some contexts, to add information to a form to make it whole. It denotes finalizing an action or making something whole by filling in missing parts. In grammar, it can appear as third-person singular present tense or as a noun in rare, formal uses referring to complete items.
"She completes the project before the deadline."
"The form is completed once all fields are filled."
"He completes the circle by sealing the agreement."
Pronounce as /kəmˈpliːts/ in UK and US accents, with primary stress on the second syllable. The first syllable is a schwa + m: /kə/. The 'ple' forms a long /pliː/ sound in many varieties; some US speakers may reduce to /kəmˈplitz/ depending on dialect. Keep the final -es as a desaccented /ts/ or affricate [ts], not a separate syllable. Audio references: listen to pronunciations on Forvo or YouGlish for confirmation.
Two frequent errors: (1) Deleting the final /t/ and saying /kəmˈpliːs/ or /kəmˈplis/, which loses the -tes ending. (2) Reducing the /liː/ to a short /lɪ/ or misplacing the stress, saying /kəˈmplets/ instead of /kəˈmpliːts/. Correct by firming the /t/ into a crisp, voiceless [ts] release and maintaining the long /iː/ vowel in the /pliː/ portion. Practice with minimal pairs focusing on vowel length and final consonant clarity.
In US, UK, and AU, the main difference is vowel quality of the /iː/ and the final /t/ release. US tends to have a t-palatalization less pronounced, often /kəmˈplit͡s/ or /kəmˈpliːts/ depending on speaker; UK tends to a clearer long /iː/ in /pliːt/ with sharper /t/ release; AU often aligns with UK but can be flatter with a slightly reduced vowel length. Rhoticity doesn’t affect this word much since it’s not rhoticic in the word itself; the preceding schwa is neutral in all three, and the /ts/ ending remains voiceless in most speech.
Key challenges are the final consonant cluster /ts/ after a long /iː/ vowel, and maintaining the stress on the second syllable without compressing the vowel poorly. Speakers may accidentally reduce /ˈpliː/ to /ˈplɪ/ or blur the /t/ into a flap in rapid speech. Focus on the sequence: ə-m, then /ˈpliː/ with a tight jaw to sustain the long /iː/, and a clean, aspirated or lightly released /t/ followed by the /s/ making /ts/. IPA: /kəmˈpliːts/ (US/UK/AU variants).
This word is a clean test for multi-syllabic stress, vowel length, and final cluster articulation. Unlike similar forms such as 'completing' or 'completed,' it has a steady final /ts/ rather than an /ɪŋ/ or /d/. You’ll hear precise tension between the /liː/ and /ts/; ensuring the long /iː/ doesn’t reduce into a short /ɪ/ and that you don’t soften the final /t/ into a flap is essential for natural, accurate pronunciation.
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- US: /kəˈmliːts/ or /kəˈplits/; focus on keeping the /iː/ long and the /t/ released before /s/. - UK: /kəˈpliːts/ with a slightly posterior tongue position for /iː/, and a crisper /t/ release. - AU: /kəˈpliːts/ with a flatter intonation; ensure non-rhoticity does not affect the vowel length. IPA references help solidify exact sounds across dialects.
Completes comes from the verb complete, which traces to the Latin complētus, past participle of complēre meaning to fill up, fill out, or fill completely. The Latin prefix com- means together or thoroughly, and plēre means to fill. In Middle English, it evolved into complet(en)e, then complete, with the -es or -s inflection for third-person singular present in modern English as completes. The sense of “finish” or “bring to a conclusion” solidified in the late 15th to 16th centuries, paralleling the rise of formalized processes and paperwork where to complete tasks required filling in all parts. The noun sense, rarer but present in legal or formal contexts, emerged from the verb’s participial forms and nounization over time. The pronunciation stabilized in standard varieties by the 18th century, aligning with other -plete words like complete, complete, and replete.
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Help others use "completes" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "completes" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "completes" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "completes"
-ats sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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