consume

[kuhn-soom]

verb (used with object)

consumed, consuming 

1. to destroy or expend by use; use up.

   Synonyms: deplete, exhaust

2. to eat or drink up; devour.

3. to destroy, as by decomposition or burning.

   Fire consumed the forest.

4. to spend (money, time, etc.) wastefully.

   Synonyms: dissipate, squander

5. to absorb; engross.

   consumed with curiosity.

verb (used without object)

consumed, consuming 

1. to undergo destruction; waste away.

2. to use or use up consumer goods.

consume

/ kənˈsjuːm /

verb

1. (tr) to eat or drink

2. (tr; often passive) to engross or obsess

3. (tr) to use up; expend

   my car consumes little oil

4. to destroy or be destroyed by burning, decomposition, etc

   fire consumed the forest

5. (tr) to waste or squander

   the time consumed on that project was excessive

6. (passive) to waste away

Other Word Forms

• consumingly adverb
• consuming adjective
• half-consumed adjective
• overconsume verb
• preconsume verb (used with object)
• unconsumed adjective
• underconsume verb (used with object)

Word History and Origins

Origin of consume¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Middle French consumer, from Latin consūmere, from con- con- + sūmere “to take up” (equivalent to subs-, variant of sub- sub- + emere “to take, buy”; emptor ( def. ) )

Word History and Origins

Origin of consume¹

C14: from Latin consūmere to devour, from com- (intensive) + sūmere to take up, from emere to take, purchase

Example Sentences

Bar-On said that the last two years had seen him consumed with thoughts of revenge against Hamas and the people of Gaza, but that the hostage release could help Israelis to move on.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

When the conspiracy at the center of “The Chair Company” consumes the life of Ron Trosper, he vacillates between screaming fury and the type of validation that lights up his smile from the inside.

Read more on Salon

As it advances it is disrupting the way people consume information, work and learn.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Her passion is the kind that simultaneously consumes and fuels her.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Regularly consuming an addictive substance then causes a rewiring of several important brain systems, leading the person to crave more and more of it.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

• absorb 
• deplete 
• devour 
• dominate 
• drain 
• eat up 
• employ 
• exhaust 
• expend 
• obsess 
• preoccupy 
• spend 
• waste