Basic Details
Word: Constitute
Part of Speech: Verb
Meaning: To be the parts that together make up something, or to set up something officially, such as a committee.
Synonyms: make up, form, compose, establish
How to Spell Constitute
Syllables: con - sti - tute
Tricky part: The middle is sti, not sta or stu, and the word ends in tute. Students who hear a soft d write constitude.
Watch out for: constitude, consitute, constatute
Memory tip: Line it up with institute and substitute: all three finish in stitute, with a t at the start and end of tute.
Usage Examples
Example 1: Girls constitute more than half of the students in our class this year.
Example 2: The principal will constitute a committee to plan the annual day.
Example 3: Small daily savings can constitute a large sum by the end of the year.
Fun Fact
The noun constitution grows from this verb. The Constitution of India, which came into force on 26 January 1950, sets out how the country is organised and governed.
Practise the CREST Way
Word Connection
Choose the words closest in meaning to constitute as used in the sentence:
Rice and dal constitute the main part of the midday meal in many Indian schools.
a) make up
b) take off
c) break down
d) give up
Show answer
a) make up. When things constitute a meal, they make it up, the way parts make up a whole.
Spell-o-Spell
Only one word in the list is spelt correctly. Choose the meaning of that word.
1. exacute 2. constitute 3. distrubute 4. contrabute
a) to share or hand out among a number of people
b) to give something, such as money or help, along with others
c) to carry out a plan or an order
d) to be the parts that together form something
Show answer
d) to be the parts that together form something. Contribute, distribute and execute each have a wrong vowel here; constitute is the only one written correctly.
Word Cookie
Insert the correct pair of letters to form a word:
const_t_te
a) i, u
b) u, u
c) a, u
d) i, o
Show answer
a) i, u. The middle is sti, the same as in institute, and the last part is tute with a u.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Which noun is formed from constitute?
a) institute
b) constitution
c) constant
d) constituted
Show answer
b) constitution
2. Pick the sentence where constitute fits:
a) She constituted down the stairs.
b) He felt constitute after the game.
c) The constitute was very tasty.
d) Seven days constitute a week.
Show answer
d) Seven days constitute a week.
