conclude
gb/kəŋklˈud/ us/kəŋklˈud/
B1
English
~ 1800
Senses
0 senses
Verb
B1
action
1
Bring something to an end
To end something, such as a meeting or event.
Usage pattern:
to conclude [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'conclude' with 'include'; 'conclude' means to end, not to contain.
Synonyms
finish (More general and informal; can apply to tasks or activities.)
|
end (Very general; applies broadly to time periods, events, or processes.)
Antonyms
begin (Opposite in meaning; refers to starting rather than ending.)
Collocations
conclude a meeting
|conclude a deal
|conclude an agreement
|conclude a contract
Themes
business
|daily life
|events
|work
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The chairman concluded the meeting at 5 p.m.
- They concluded the conference with a dinner.
- The negotiations were concluded successfully yesterday.
- We will conclude the ceremony with a short speech.
Learner examples
- The teacher concluded the lesson.
- We concluded the game after two hours.
- The party concluded at midnight.
Verb
B2
action
2
Decide after thinking or evidence
To decide something is true after thinking about the facts.
Usage pattern:
to conclude that [clause]
Common mistake:
Some learners forget to use 'that' when introducing the clause after 'conclude'.
Synonyms
determine (More formal; often used in legal or official contexts.)
|
decide (More common in everyday speech; broader use.)
Antonyms
doubt (Opposite in meaning; to feel uncertain instead of deciding firmly.)
Collocations
conclude that
|conclude from evidence
|conclude after discussion
Themes
thinking
|communication
|core_vocabulary
|education
Examples
- The police concluded that the fire was accidental.
- From her tone, I concluded she was upset.
- Scientists concluded that climate change is accelerating.
- He concluded from the data that the plan would fail.
Learner examples
- I conclude that he is tired.
- The doctor concluded that she was sick.
- They concluded from the results that the test was wrong.
Verb
formal
C1
action
3
Formally agree and finish arrangement
To finish making an agreement or contract officially.
Usage pattern:
to conclude [an agreement/deal/treaty]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse this sense with simply ending an event; here it specifically means agreeing and finalizing.
Synonyms
finalize (Less formal; used for completing arrangements generally.)
|
ratify (Legal/formal; specifically means to officially approve something already agreed upon.)
Antonyms
cancel (Opposite in meaning; to stop an agreement from happening.)
Collocations
conclude a treaty
|conclude a peace agreement
|conclude a sale
Themes
business
|law
Examples
- The two countries concluded a trade agreement last year.
- They concluded the contract after weeks of negotiation.
- The leaders concluded peace talks successfully.
Learner examples
- We concluded a deal with the company.
- The two sides concluded a peace treaty.
- They concluded the contract on Monday.
Grammar
Dictionary form
conclude
IPA
GB/kəŋklˈud/
US/kəŋklˈud/
Syllables & stress
con - clude (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (clude)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: conclude
- 3rd Person Singular: concludes
- Present Participle: concluding
- Past: concluded
Word family
Forms
concludes
verb
concluding
verb
concluded
verb
Core family
conclusion
noun B1
conclusive
adjective B2
Related words
conclusively
adverb
Negative and opposite forms
inconclusive
adjective B2
inconclusively
adverb
Advanced or less common
conclusiveness
noun
Expressions
to conclude with
1/tə kəŋklˈud wˈɪθ/
fixed phrase
End with a final part/item
To finish something by doing or saying a final thing.
Examples
- The speaker concluded with a funny story.
- We will conclude with a short video presentation.
in conclusion
1/ˈɪn kəŋklˈuʒən/
fixed phrase
to introduce final statement
Used to show you are saying your last idea or summary.
Examples
- In conclusion, we must act now to protect the environment.
- In conclusion, I believe this plan will work.
- In conclusion, I would like to thank everyone for coming.