Word forms: comparative fuller, superlative fullest
1. adjective
If something is full, it contains as much of a substance or as many objects as it can.
Once the container is full, it stays shut until you turn it clockwise.
...a full tank of petrol.
2. adjective
If a place or thing is full of things or people, it contains a large number of them.
The case was full of clothes. [+ of]
The streets are still full of debris from two nights of rioting. [+ of]
...a useful recipe leaflet full of ideas for using the new cream. [+ of]
3. adjective
If someone or something is full of a particular feeling or quality, they have a lot of it.
I feel full of confidence and so open to possibilities. [+ of]
Mom's face was full of pain. [+ of]
...an exquisite mousse, incredibly rich and full of flavour. [+ of]
4. adjective [usually verb-link ADJECTIVE]
You say that a place or vehicle is full when there is no space left in it for any more people or things.
The main car park was full when I left about 10.45.
They stay here a few hours before being sent to refugee camps, which are now almostfull.
The bus was completely full, and lots of people were standing.
5. adjective [verb-link ADJECTIVE]
If your hands or arms are full, you are carrying or holding as much as you can carry.
Sylvia entered, her arms full of packages. [+ of]
People would go into the store and come out with their arms full.
6. adjective [verb-link ADJECTIVE]
If you feel full, you have eaten or drunk so much that you do not want anything else.
It's healthy to eat when I'm hungry and to stop when I'm full.
Synonyms: satiated, satisfied, having had enough, replete More Synonyms of full
fullnessuncountable noun
High fibre diets give the feeling of fullness.
Synonyms: richness, strength, resonance, loudness More Synonyms of full
Synonyms: roundness, voluptuousness, curvaceousness, swelling More Synonyms of full
Synonyms: completeness, wealth, entirety, totality More Synonyms of full
Synonyms: plenty, glut, saturation, sufficiency More Synonyms of full
7. adjective [ADJECTIVE noun]
You use full before a noun to indicate that you are referring to all the details, things, or people that it can possibly include.
Full details will be sent to you once your application has been accepted.
May I have your full name?
Is full employment any longer achievable?
Synonyms: extensive, detailed, complete, broad More Synonyms of full
8. adjective [ADJECTIVE noun]
Full is used to describe a sound, light, or physical force which is being produced with the greatest possiblepower or intensity.
From his study came the sound of Mahler, playing at full volume.
Officials say the operation will be carried out in full daylight.
Then abruptly he revved the engine to full power.
Synonyms: maximum, highest, greatest, top More Synonyms of full
Full is also an adverb.
...a two-seater Lotus, parked with its headlamps full on.
9. adjective [ADJECTIVE noun]
You use full to emphasize the completeness, intensity, or extent of something.
[emphasis]
We should conserve oil and gas by making full use of other energy sources.
Television cameras are carrying the full horror of this war into homes around theworld.
The lane leading to the farm was in full view of the house windows.
By the time the tests took place, the athletes had had a full 17 hours' notice.
10. adjective [usually ADJECTIVE noun]
A full statement or report contains a lot of information and detail.
He gave a full account of his meeting with the President.
...the enormous detail in this very full document.
11. adjective [usually ADJECTIVE noun]
If you say that someone has or leads a full life, you approve of the fact that they are always busy and do a lot of different things.
[approval]
You will be successful in whatever you do and you will have a very full and interestinglife.
Synonyms: eventful, exciting, active, busy More Synonyms of full
12. adverb
You use full to emphasize the force or directness with which someone or something is hit or looked at.
[emphasis]
The burning liquid hit him full in the right eye.
She kissed him full on the mouth.
She looked him full in the face as she spoke.
Synonyms: directly, right, straight, square More Synonyms of full
13. adjective [ADJECTIVE noun]
You use full to refer to something which gives you all the rights, status, or importance for a particular position or activity, rather than just some of them.
How did the meeting go, did you get your full membership?
Only those who have had full licences for five years may hire cars.
14. adjective [ADJECTIVE noun]
A full flavour is strong and rich.
Italian plum tomatoes have a full flavour, and are best for cooking.
Synonyms: rounded, strong, rich, powerful More Synonyms of full
15. adjective [usually ADJECTIVE noun]
If you describe a part of someone's body as full, you mean that it is rounded and rather large.
The Juno Collection specialises in large sizes for ladies with a fuller figure.
...his strong chin, his full lips, his appealing mustache.
Synonyms: plump, rounded, voluptuous, shapely More Synonyms of full
16. adjective [usually ADJECTIVE noun]
A full skirt or sleeve is wide and has been made from a lot of fabric.
My wedding dress has a very full skirt.
Synonyms: voluminous, large, loose, baggy More Synonyms of full
fullnessuncountable noun
The coat has raglan sleeves, and is cut to give fullness at the back.
Synonyms: richness, strength, resonance, loudness More Synonyms of full
Synonyms: roundness, voluptuousness, curvaceousness, swelling More Synonyms of full
Synonyms: completeness, wealth, entirety, totality More Synonyms of full
17. adjective [usually ADJECTIVE noun]
When there is a full moon, the moon appears as a bright, complete circle.
18.
See in full
19.
See to know full well
20.
See to the full
21.
See be full of oneself
22. to be full of beans
23. full blast
24. to come full circle
25. to have your hands full
26. in full swing
More Synonyms of full
full in British English1
(fʊl)
adjective
1.
holding or containing as much as possible; filled to capacity or near capacity
2.
abundant in supply, quantity, number, etc
full of energy
3.
having consumed enough food or drink
4.
(esp of the face or figure) rounded or plump; not thin
5. (prenominal)
with no part lacking; complete
a full dozen
6. (prenominal)
with all privileges, rights, etc; not restricted
a full member
7. (prenominal)
of, relating to, or designating a relationship established by descent from the same parents
full brother
8.
filled with emotion or sentiment
a full heart
9. (postpositive; foll byof)
occupied or engrossed (with)
full of his own projects
10. music
a.
powerful or rich in volume and sound
b.
completing a piece or section; concluding
a full close
11.
(of a garment, esp a skirt) containing a large amount of fabric; of ample cut
12.
(of sails, etc) distended by wind
13.
(of wine, such as a burgundy) having a heavy body
14.
(of a colour) containing a large quantity of pure hue as opposed to white or grey; rich; saturated
15. informal
drunk
16. full and by
17. full of oneself
18. full up
19. in full cry
20. in full swing
adverb
21.
a.
completely; entirely
b.
(in combination)
full-grown
full-fledged
22.
exactly; directly; right
the boxer was hit full in the stomach
23.
very; extremely (esp in the phrase full well)
24. full out
noun
25.
the greatest degree, extent, etc
26. British
a ridge of sand or shingle along a seashore
27. in full
28. to the full
verb
29. (transitive) needlework
to gather or tuck
30. (intransitive)
(of the moon) to be fully illuminated
Derived forms
fullness (ˈfullness) or especially US fulness (ˈfulness)
noun
Word origin
Old English; related to Old Norse fullr, Old High German foll, Latin plēnus, Greek plērēs; see fill
full in British English2
(fʊl)
verb
(of cloth, yarn, etc) to become or to make (cloth, yarn, etc) heavier and more compact during manufacture through shrinking and beating or pressing
Word origin
C14: from Old French fouler, ultimately from Latin fullō a fuller1
full in American English1
(fʊl)
adjective
1.
having in it all there is space for; holding or containing as much as possible; filled
a full jar
2.
a.
having eaten all that one wants
b.
having had more than one can stand (of)
3.
using or occupying all of a given space
a full load
4.
having a great deal or number (of); crowded
a room full of people
5.
a.
well supplied, stocked, or provided; rich or abounding (with of)
woods full of game
b.
rich in detail
full information
6.
a.
filling the required number, capacity, measure, etc.; complete
a full dozen
b.
thorough; absolute
to come to a full stop
7.
a.
having reached the greatest development, size, extent, intensity, etc.
a full moon, full speed
b. US
having attained the highest regular rank
a full professor
8.
having the same parents
full brothers
9.
having clearness, volume, and depth
a full tone
10.
plump; round; filled out
a full face
11.
with loose, wide folds; ample; flowing
a full skirt
12.
a.
greatly affected by emotion, etc.
b.
occupied or engrossed with ideas, thoughts, etc.
13. US, Baseball
a.
designating a count of three balls and two strikes on the batter
b.
with a runner at each of the three bases
noun
14.
the greatest amount, extent, number, size, etc.
to enjoy life to the full
adverb
15.
to the greatest degree; completely; fully
a full-grown boy
16.
directly; exactly
to be hit full in the face
17.
very
full well
verb transitive
18.
to sew loose folds into (a skirt); gather
verb intransitive
19.
to become full
said of the moon
SIMILAR WORDS: comˈplete
Idioms:
at the full
in full
Word origin
ME < OE, akin to Ger voll, Goth fulls < IE base *pel-, to fill > L plenus, full & plere, to fill, Gr plēthein, to be full, Welsh llawn, full
full in American English2
(fʊl)
verb transitive, verb intransitive
to shrink and thicken (cloth, esp. wool) with moisture, heat, and pressure
Word origin
ME fullen < OFr fuler < ML fullare, to full < L fullo, cloth fuller
More idioms containing
full
have your hands full
be full of yourself
be in full flow
not play with a full deck
in full cry
come full circle
full of beans
go full steam ahead
be at full stretch
be in full swing
do something at full throttle
the full monty
Examples of 'full' in a sentence
full
She offered a full refund and a bouquet as an apology.
The Sun (2016)
We are sceptical consumers would choose to meet the cost of this programme given the full picture.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
They need to feel the full force of the law and public scrutiny along with it.
The Sun (2016)
The thing about getting up so early is that one is full of optimism.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Yet what did he expect when his own story was full of holes.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
He is unable to walk and it could be a year before he makes a full recovery.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
We both know the park is full of scary people after dark.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Her full contact details were listed.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
Love deepens when dreams are shared - and the full moon links love with a Gemini.
The Sun (2016)
This enables all aircraft up to the Airbus A380 to land and take off with full load capacity during all weather conditions.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Now the council has admitted its blunder and offered him a full refund.
The Sun (2011)
The full moon says love needs trust to help it grow stronger.
The Sun (2012)
It was soon full of people eating lunch.
The Sun (2011)
Stick one in your sandwich and feel fuller longer.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
To handle nerves and fix the game by full time is one thing.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
The printed full skirt is a beautiful summer piece and the jersey dress is right for anywhere.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Its two runways are full to capacity.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
You should also look at recruitment websites and make full use of contacts.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Please go to our website for full details of how to lodge a complaint.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
This means they can make you feel full for longer.
The Sun (2011)
Time your visit around the full moon for best results.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Which then causes it to write a full stop.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
They were swept into a grand room full of rich clutter and fine carpets.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
But we did not address them until they hit us with full force.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
The show is full of exactly that kind of bad behaviour.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Everyone should have access to flexible working and make full use of the opportunity.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
The foreign entry is full of possible winners.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
The biscuit tin is completely full of hair.
The Sun (2008)
He cleans his teeth with his fingers and always talks with his mouth full.
The Sun (2008)
The official figures do not reflect the full extent of the problem.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
The full report of that taskforce will be published this week.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
I give her full credit for her determination.
Christianity Today (2000)
In other languages
full
British English: full /fʊl/ ADJECTIVE
Something that is full contains as much of a substance or as many objects as it can.
...a full tank of petrol.
American English: full
Arabic: مـُمْتَلِيء
Brazilian Portuguese: cheio
Chinese: 满的
Croatian: pun
Czech: plný
Danish: fuld fyldt op
Dutch: vol
European Spanish: lleno
Finnish: täysi täynnä oleva, täydellinen
French: plein
German: voll
Greek: γεμάτος
Italian: pieno
Japanese: 満ちて
Korean: 가득한
Norwegian: full fylt
Polish: pełny
European Portuguese: cheio
Romanian: plin
Russian: полный
Latin American Spanish: lleno
Swedish: full inte tom
Thai: เต็ม
Turkish: dolu
Ukrainian: повний
Vietnamese: đầy
All related terms of 'full'
full-on
Full-on is used to describe things or activities that have all the characteristics of their type, or are done in the strongest or most extreme way possible .
full up
Something that is full up has no space left for any more people or things.
in full
You say that something has been done or described in full when everything that was necessary has been done or described.
cram-full
stuffed full
full-back
In rugby or football , a full-back is a defending player whose position is towards the goal which their team is defending.
full beam
the brightest light transmitted from car headlights
full-bore
to the greatest degree or extent ; at full speed , with the greatest power or effort , etc.
full cost
The cost of something is the amount of money that is needed in order to buy, do, or make it.
full face
a round full face
full fare
a price (of a travel , cinema ticket , etc) without any discounts
full moon
one of the four phases of the moon , occurring when the earth lies between the sun and the moon so that the moon is visible as a fully illuminated disc
full name
somebody's whole name, including their first and surname , and sometimes any middle names
full out
with maximum effort or speed
full-page
A full-page advertisement, picture, or article in a newspaper or magazine uses a whole page.
full pay
the full amount of wages of salary
full sail
at top speed
full-size
A full-size or full-sized model or picture is the same size as the thing or person that it represents .
full stop
A full stop is the punctuation mark . which you use at the end of a sentence when it is not a question or exclamation.
full term
the end of a pregnancy that lasted the full nine months
full tilt
at full speed or force
full time
Full-time work or study involves working or studying for the whole of each normal working week rather than for part of it.
full toss
a bowled ball that reaches the batsman without bouncing
full word
an entire word
half-full
(of a vessel, place, etc) holding or containing half its capacity
jam-full
crowded , packed, or filled to capacity
chock-full
Something that is chock-full is completely full.
choke-full
completely full
chuck-full
→ chock-full
full access
If you have access to something such as information or equipment, you have the opportunity or right to see it or use it.
full blast
If something such as a radio or a heater is on full blast , or on at full blast , it is producing as much sound or power as it is able to.
full blood
an individual , esp a horse or similar domestic animal, of unmixed race or breed
full bloom
You use full to emphasize the completeness, intensity, or extent of something.
full-blown
Full-blown means having all the characteristics of a particular type of thing or person.
full board
If the price at a hotel includes full board , it includes all your meals.
full-bodied
having a full rich flavour or quality
full bottle
well-informed and enthusiastic about something
full circle
to the original place, source , or state through a cycle of developments (usually used in the phrase come full circle )
full cousin
the child of one's aunt or uncle
full-cream
denoting or made with whole unskimmed milk
full dress
Someone who is in full dress is wearing all the clothes needed for a ceremony or formal occasion .
full-faced
having a round full face
full gainer
a person or thing that gains
full-grown
An animal or plant that is full-grown has reached its full adult size and stopped growing.
full horror
The horror of something, especially something that hurts people, is its very great unpleasantness.
full house
If a theatre has a full house for a particular performance , it has as large an audience as it can hold.
full-length
A full-length book , record , or film is the normal length, rather than being shorter than normal.
full marks
If you get full marks in a test or exam , you get everything right and gain the maximum number of marks.
full monty
You use the full monty to describe something that impresses you because it includes everything that you could possibly expect it to include.
full nelson
a wrestling hold, illegal in amateur wrestling, in which a wrestler places both arms under an opponent's arms from behind and exerts pressure with both palms on the back of the neck
full pitch
a bowled ball that reaches the batsman without bouncing
Chinese translation of 'full'
full
(ful)
adj
[container, cup]满(滿)的 (mǎn de)
⇒ The bucket is almost full.桶要满了。 (Tǒng yào mǎn le.)
[cinema, car, restaurant]满(滿)的 (mǎn de)
⇒ All the car parks are full.所有的停车场都满了。 (Suǒyǒu de tíngchēchǎng dōu mǎn le.)
⇒ The radio was playing at full volume.收音机以最大音量播放着。 (Shōuyīnjī yǐ zuìdà yīnliàng bōfàngzhe.)
(= complete)[details]全部的 (quánbù de)
⇒ Full details will be sent to you.全部的具体情况会发给你。 (Quánbù de jùtǐ qíngkuàng huì fā gěi nǐ.)
[information, name]完全的 (wánquán de)
⇒ I haven't got his full name.我没有他的全名。 (Wǒ méiyǒu tā de quánmíng.)
[flavour]醇厚的 (chúnhòu de)
[skirt, sleeves]肥大的 (féidà de)
[life]充实(實)的 (chōngshí de)
⇒ a very full and interesting life非常充实而有趣的生活 (fēicháng chōngshí ér yǒuqù de shēnghuó)
[impact, implication]所有的 (suǒyǒu de)
⇒ I paused to allow the full impact of this to register.我停下来，以便仔细感受这一切带来的所有影响。 (Wǒ tíng xiàlái, yǐbiàn zǐxì gǎnshòu zhè yīqiè dàilái de suǒyǒu yǐngxiǎng.)
adv
to know full well that ... 完全清楚地了解 ... (wánquán qīngchu de liǎojiě)
full up[hotel etc]爆满(滿) (bàomǎn)
I'm full (up)我吃饱(飽)了 (wǒ chībǎo le)
a full week/month整整一个(個)星期/月 (zhěngzhěng yī gè xīngqī/yuè)
⇒ For a full week we did not eat.整整一个星期，我们没吃东西。 (Zhěngzhěng yī gè xīngqī, wǒmen méi chī dōngxi.)
in full view of sb完全看得见(見)某人 (wánquán kàn de jiàn mǒurén)
full marks (Brit, Scol) 满(滿)分 (mǎnfēn)
at full speed以全速 (yǐ quánsù)
full of[objects, people]充满(滿) (chōngmǎn)
⇒ His office was full of policemen.他的办公室里满是警察。 (Tā de bàngōngshì li mǎn shì jǐngchá.) [confidence, hope], 充满 (chōngmǎn)
⇒ I was full of confidence.我充满了信心。 (Wǒ chōngmǎnle xìnxīn.)
in full[reproduce, quote, pay]全部地 (quánbù de)
⇒ The bill has been paid in full.账单已被付清了。 (Zhàngdān yǐ bèi fùqīng le.)
to write one's name in full写(寫)出自己的全名 (xiěchū zìjǐ de quánmíng)
to strike sb full in the face正打在某人的脸(臉)上 (zhèng dǎ zài mǒurén de liǎn shang)
to do sth to the full充分地做某事 (chōngfèn de zuò mǒushì)
All related terms of 'full'
full of
( objects, people ) 充满(滿) chōngmǎn ⇒ His office was full of policemen. → 他的办公室里满是警察。 Tā de bàngōngshì li mǎn shì jǐngchá. ( confidence, hope ) → 充满 chōngmǎn ⇒ I was full of confidence. → 我充满了信心。 Wǒ chōngmǎnle xìnxīn.
full up
( hotel etc ) 爆满(滿) bàomǎn
in full
( reproduce, quote, pay ) 全部地 quánbù de ⇒ The bill has been paid in full. → 账单已被付清了。 Zhàngdān yǐ bèi fùqīng le.
full moon
满(滿)月 mǎnyuè
full stop
句号(號) jùhào [ 个(個) gè ] [ 美 = period ]
full-time
( work, study ) 全职(職)的 quánzhí de
I'm full (up)
我吃饱(飽)了 wǒ chībǎo le
full marks
( Brit : Scol ) 满(滿)分 mǎnfēn
full-length
( book, film ) 未删(刪)节(節)的 wèi shānjié de
full-scale
( war, search, inquiry ) 全面的 quánmiàn de
at full speed
以全速 yǐ quánsù
full employment
充分就业 chōngfèn jiùyè
full/half board
( Brit ) 全日/部分膳食供应(應) quánrì/bùfèn shànshí gōngyìng
half/full fare
半/全价(價) bàn/quánjià
at full strength
( fully staffed ) 全体(體) quántǐ
a full week/month
整整一个(個)星期/月 zhěngzhěng yī gè xīngqī/yuè ⇒ For a full week we did not eat. → 整整一个星期，我们没吃东西。 Zhěngzhěng yī gè xīngqī, wǒmen méi chī dōngxi.
in full view of sb
完全看得见(見)某人 wánquán kàn de jiàn mǒurén
at full or top speed
以最高速度 yǐ zuì gāo sùdù
to be in full swing
( party etc ) 正处(處)于(於)全盛时(時)期 zhèng chǔyú quánshèng shíqī
three-quarters full/empty
四分之三满(滿)/空 sì fēn zhī sān mǎn/kōng
to be full to the brim
满(滿)到边(邊) mǎn dào biān
to come to a full stop
( fig ) 完全停止 wánquān tíngzhǐ
to do sth to the full
充分地做某事 chōngfèn de zuò mǒushì
to give full coverage of
全面报(報)道 quánmiàn bàodào
to work at full capacity
以最大限度工作 yǐ zuì dà xiàndù gōngzuò
a part-time/full-time job
半职(職)/全职(職)工作 bànzhí/quánzhí gōngzuò
to be full to overflowing
满(滿)得要溢出来(來) mǎn de yào yì chūlái
to have one's hands full (with sth)
手头(頭)忙于(於)(某事) shǒutóu mángyú (mǒushì)
to know full well that ...
完全清楚地了解 ... wánquán qīngchu de liǎojiě
to have a full complement of
... 都齐(齊)全了 ... dōu qíquán le
to strike sb full in the face
正打在某人的脸(臉)上 zhèng dǎ zài mǒurén de liǎn shang
to write one's name in full
写(寫)出自己的全名 xiěchū zìjǐ de quánmíng
to cram sth with or full of sth
用某物将(將)某物塞得满(滿)满(滿)的 yòng mǒuwù jiāng mǒuwù sāi de mǎnmǎn de