adjective | adverb
fullfull1 /fʊl/ ●●● S1 W1 adjective 1
NO MORE SPACE holding or containing as much of something as possible, or as many things or people as possible OPP empty: There’s a full box of cereal in the cabinet. The restaurant was already full when we got there. Fill the muffin cups about half full.chock/crammed full of something (=so full that there is no extra room) The warehouse is chock full of electronic equipment. The glass was full to the brim (=to the very top).THESAURUSfilled with something – full of something: She was pushing a shopping cart filled with groceries.packed informal – extremely full of people or things. Used especially about rooms or buildings: The trial took place in a packed courtroom.crammed informal – so full of people or things that it is difficult to move: The garage was crammed with junk.stuffed informal – completely full of things, especially soft or paper things, so that no more will fit: He was carrying a bag stuffed full of his dirty clothes.bursting – extremely full and almost breaking open: When we got back from vacation, our mailbox was bursting with junk mail.overflowing – so full that the liquid or things inside come out over the top: After the festival, all the garbage cans were overflowing with trash.overloaded – too full of people or things. Used about vehicles: The helicopter was overloaded and barely got off the ground.teeming with something formal – full of people or animals that are all moving around: The lake was teeming with fish.replete formal – full of something: Books on the war were replete with references to him.2INCLUDING EVERYTHING [only before noun] including all parts or details SYN complete OPP partial: Please give your full name and address. Salcido gave a full confession to the police. We sell the full range of kitchen appliances (=everything available). We are not being told the full story by our political leaders (=everything they know about something).3in full if you pay an amount of money in full, you pay the whole amount: The balance must be paid in full each month.4HIGHEST LEVEL [only before noun] being the highest level or greatest amount that is possible SYN total: I never pay full price for anything. She turned the radio up to full volume. He was driving at full speed when he hit the tree (=as fast as possible). The heat was on full blast (=as strongly as possible) in the car. The roses are now in full bloom (=the flowers are all open).5HAVING A LOT OF something be full of something a)to contain a large number of things, or a large amount of something: Dan’s garage is full of half-finished projects. The brochures are full of information. My jeans are all full of holes. b)to feel or express a strong emotion, or have a lot of a particular quality: Boston’s streets are full of history. We were full of admiration for Kim’s talent.6FOOD spoken having eaten so much food that you cannot eat any more: “Do you want more noodles?” “No, thanks. I’m full.” Don’t go swimming on a full stomach (=while your stomach is full of food).7TIME a)[only before noun] used to emphasize that something continues for a long time: He sat on the witness stand for four full days. b)busy and filled with many activities: I’ve had a full week at work. My grandfather lived a full life.► see thesaurus at busy18be full of yourself to think or talk about yourself all the time, in a way that other people find annoying9be in full swing if an event or process is in full swing it has reached its highest level of activity: The college football season is now in full swing.10(at) full speed/tilt as fast or as strongly as possible: We will be working at full tilt during the final days of the campaign.11full speed/steam ahead with as much energy and eagerness as possible: The three cruise lines are moving full speed ahead with major expansion plans.12RANK [only before noun] having all the rights, duties, etc. relating to a particular rank or position, because you have reached the necessary standard: a full professor/member/colonel etc. Watson has been a full member for six years.13SOUND/TASTE ETC. a quality such as a sound, taste, etc. that is full is pleasantly strong: Cheddar cheese ages well to produce a full rich aroma.14CLOTHES a full skirt, pair of pants, etc. is made with a lot of material and fits loosely: The blouse has full sleeves. She was wearing a green dress with a full skirt.15BODY a full face, body, etc. is rounded, large, or fat16come/go full circle to end in the same situation in which you began, even though there have been changes in the time in between: Ideas on how to teach reading have come full circle since the 1960s.17in full view of somebody/something so that everyone watching can see everything: The fight occurred in full view of the fans who arrived early.18to the fullest in the best or most complete way: His disabilities don’t stop him from enjoying life to the fullest.19draw yourself up to your full height (also rise to your full height) to stand up very straight20in full cry if a group of people are in full cry, they are criticizing someone very strongly: By that time, the press was in full cry, insisting that there had been illegal activities.[Origin: Old English] → see also fully, have your hands full at hand1 (21) adjective | adverb
fullfull2 adverb directly: full on/in The door struck me full in the face. → see also know full well at know1 (4)