What does compline mean?
Compline is the final service of the daily cycle of prayers known as the liturgy of the hours, observed by monks, nuns, clergy, and laypeople in many Christian traditions. Said or sung at night before sleep, it traditionally consists of psalms, a short reading, responses, and prayers commending the coming night to God's protection. The name derives ultimately from the Latin verb complere, meaning 'to fill up' or 'to complete,' since Compline marks the completion of each day's round of worship. It is especially associated with contemplative monasteries and cathedrals, where a candlelit Sung Compline can draw large congregations seeking quiet reflection at the close of the day. Though a specialized religious term rather than an everyday word, Compline carries rich connotations of peace, closure, and restful surrender.
nounThe final service of the daily round of prayers in the Christian liturgy of the hours, held at night before retiring.
- The last of the canonical hours in the Christian liturgy of the hours, said or sung before bedtime.
"The monks gathered for Compline just before the candles were extinguished for the night."
"After Compline, the monastery observed the Great Silence until morning."
"A candlelit service of Sung Compline drew visitors to the cathedral every Sunday evening."
Rare; the plural appears mainly in historical or comparative discussions of multiple celebrations of the office across days or traditions.
"The manuscript records complines sung over successive winter nights at the priory."
Compline is literally 'the completing' prayer — the Latin word behind it means 'to fill up,' because it fills up and closes out the day's cycle of prayers.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of compline
Compline entered English via medieval church usage from Old French, ultimately deriving from the Latin noun completorium, itself formed on the verb complere, meaning 'to fill up' or 'to complete.' The name reflects its role as the service that completes the day's sequence of canonical hours. It thus shares its deep root with English words such as 'complete,' 'completion,' and 'replenish.'
How compline is actually used
Compline is a formal liturgical term used chiefly in monastic and high-church Anglican, Catholic, Lutheran, and Orthodox contexts. When capitalized it names the specific office; in lowercase or generic phrasing ('a compline service') it may refer more loosely to any late-night prayer service. The word is almost never used figuratively.
Easily confused with compline
Completion means the act of finishing something, whereas Compline is a specific nighttime church service; the two share a Latin root but have entirely different meanings.