Etymologically
Log in

complètement

Etymology and origin of the French word complètement

History Permalink
Confidence
Established
Formation
Derivation
First attested
2nd half of the 13th century, Légende de Girart de Roussillon
Ultimate origin
French (complète,-ment)

Pronunciation

  • IPA: /kɔ̃.plɛt.mɑ̃/[1]

Forms

complètement[1] The Académie wrote complétement from 1762 to 1835, complètement from 1878, Littré remarked that it was the only adverb from an adjective in -et spelt with an acute accent.[2]

Etymology

It is from French complet + -ment, from the feminine of complet (“complete”).[2][3][4][1] The TLFi notes a slight chronological gap, as the adjective is first recorded later.[2]

Earliest recorded meaning

It is first found in the second half of the 13th century, in the Légende de Girart de Roussillon.[2]

Semantic evolution

It was rare before the 18th century: the Trévoux dictionary of 1732 cites an example from La Fontaine but thinks the word unused, fit only for a playful or burlesque style.[2] It is now the common adverb of completeness and, by extension, of degree (complètement fou).[5][6]

Timeline

  • 2nd half of the 13th century – First found.[2]
  • 1732 – Trévoux records it as unusual.[2]
  • 1762 – The Académie spells it complétement.[2]
  • 1878 – The Académie spells it complètement.[2]

Meanings

Adverb

  1. completely, entirely, from beginning to end: lire un ouvrage complètement, être complètement guéri.[6][5]
  2. Utterly, quite: il est complètement fou.[5][6]

Usage notes

A separate noun complètement, formed from compléter (1750–51), means the act of completing; it is rare except in psychology (test de complètement) and topography.[2][3][5]

References

  1. ^ a b c Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Trésor de la langue française informatisé (2004), ATILF – CNRS & Université de Lorraine, atilf.fr/tlfi; electronic version of Imbs, Paul; Quemada, Bernard, eds. (1971–1994), Trésor de la langue française, Paris: CNRS / Gallimard
  3. ^ a b Rey, Alain, ed. (2005), Le Grand Robert de la langue française, electronic version, Paris: Le Robert
  4. ^ Guilbert, Louis; Lagane, René; Niobey, Georges, eds. (1971–1978; 1989), Grand Larousse de la langue française, Paris: Larousse
  5. ^ a b c d Dictionnaire de français Larousse, larousse.fr/dictionnaires/francais (accessed 2024)
  6. ^ a b c Rey-Debove, Josette; Rey, Alain, eds. (2007), Le Petit Robert de la langue française, Paris: Le Robert
Cite this entry

“Complètement.” Etymologically, 18 Oct. 2026, etymologically.com/fr/compl%C3%A8tement. Accessed 18 Oct. 2026.

Last edited on . ·