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Definition of consume

consume

/kənˈsuːm/
con · sume
Adjective:consumable
•
Past Simple:consumed
•
Past Participle:consumed
•
Present Participle:consuming
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consume Lexical Profile

consume Game Scores & Validity

• verb

1

To eat, drink, or ingest (food or drink).

Example

"Doctors recommend that adults consume plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables every day."

2

To use up or expend (a resource, material, energy, or time).

Example

"Older household appliances tend to consume far more electricity than modern energy-efficient models."

3

To completely fill the mind or attention of someone; to obsess or overwhelm (of a feeling, thought, or interest).

Example

"She was so consumed by curiosity that she stayed up all night reading the historical archives."

4

To completely destroy or obliterate (especially of fire or a destructive force).

Example

"The dry timber allowed the blaze to quickly consume the abandoned warehouse."

5

To purchase and use (goods or services) in an economy.

Example

"As household incomes rose, citizens began to consume more luxury goods and leisure services."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for consume
Antonyms
View all antonyms for consume

• Rhymes for consume

• Nearby Words

consultee
consulting
consumable
consume
consumer
consumerism
consumerist

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed from Middle French consumer, from Latin consumere ('to use up, eat, waste'), formed from com- (an intensive prefix meaning 'completely') and sumere ('to take up').

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Consume. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/consume
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