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not completely
/nɒt kəmˈpliːtli/
partially or not entirely
She understood the concept, but not completely.
She grasped the idea but still had some gaps in her understanding.
general
Partially or not entirely; to a limited extent
The project is not completely finished; there are still a few details to address.
The project has been mostly completed, but some minor tasks remain.
He agreed with the proposal, but not completely.
He supported the proposal but had some reservations.
This phrase is often used to indicate that something is mostly true or done, but not entirely.
Collocations
not completely convincedhaving doubts or reservationsnot completely finishedmostly done but with some remaining tasks
Antonyms
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Usage in Formal Contexts
In formal writing or professional settings, 'not completely' can be used to express nuanced opinions or incomplete states, such as 'The data is not completely accurate.'
Gold Rule
Avoid Overuse
While 'not completely' is useful for nuance, overusing it can make your speech or writing sound hesitant or indecisive. Use it judiciously.
Word Origin
Derived from the combination of 'not' (negation) and 'completely' (in its entirety), forming an adverbial phrase indicating partiality.
Usage Notes
This phrase is commonly used in both formal and informal contexts to express that something is not fully achieved or understood. It can apply to actions, states, or concepts.
Word Breakdown
not
negation or denial
prefixcompletely
in its entirety or fully
adverbEnglish Dictionary