Pronunciation: [kənsˈuːm] (IPA) 
The word "consume" is spelled with a "c" at the beginning despite the "k" sound. This is because it originates from the Latin word "consumere" which began with a "c". In IPA phonetic transcription, the word is pronounced /kənˈsjuːm/ with the stress on the second syllable. The "c" is pronounced as a "k" sound followed by the "o" pronounced as a schwa sound. The second syllable is stressed and pronounced as "soom."
Consume is a transitive verb that means to utilize, exhaust, or use up a resource, material, or substance. It refers to the act of ingesting, using, or disposing of something, typically in the form of food or drink. When used in the context of eating or drinking, consume specifically signifies the act of taking in and deriving sustenance from it. In a broader sense, however, consume encompasses various forms of utilization, such as absorbing, exhausting, or entirely depleting a resource or substance.
The term can also have figurative connotations, referring to the act of mentally or emotionally absorbing information, ideas, or concepts. For instance, when one consumes literature, it implies reading and engaging deeply with the material, often implying a thorough understanding or contemplation.
Furthermore, consume can also indicate the process of burning or destroying something, usually with fire. In this sense, it denotes the act of completely utilizing or transforming an object or substance into a different form. Additionally, consume can be used to describe the act of overpowering or overwhelming something or someone, as in "He was consumed by guilt" or "The flames consumed the house."
Overall, consume encompasses a range of meanings, from the simple act of eating or drinking, to the utilization, absorption, exhaustion, or destruction of resources, materials, or concepts.
To destroy by separating the parts; to eat or devour; to squander or waste; to spend idly, as time; to become wasted; to bring to utter ruin.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "consume" has Latin origins. It comes from the Latin word "consumere", which is a combination of the prefix "con-" meaning "thoroughly" or "altogether", and "sumere", meaning "to take" or "to use up". In Latin, "consumere" referred to the act of using up or destroying something completely. The word gradually made its way into Middle English and later into Modern English with the same meaning, related to the process of using or depleting resources or energy.
