full

¹full

adjective \ˈfu̇l also ˈfəl\

Definition of FULL

1

: containing as much or as many as is possible or normal <a bin full of corn>

2

a : complete especially in detail, number, or duration <a full report> <gone a full hour> <my full share>

b : lacking restraint, check, or qualification <full retreat> <full support>

c : having all distinguishing characteristics : enjoying all authorized rights and privileges <full member> <full professor>

d : not lacking in any essential : perfect <in full control of your senses>

e (1) : completely occupied by runners <came to bat with the bases full> (2) : having three balls and two strikes <a full count>

3

a : being at the highest or greatest degree : maximum <full speed> <full strength>

b : being at the height of development <full bloom>

c : being a full moon : completely illuminated <the moon is full tonight>

4

: rounded in outline <a full figure>

5

a : possessing or containing a great number or amount —used with of <a room full of pictures> <full of hope>

b : having an abundance of material especially in the form of gathered, pleated, or flared parts <a full skirt>

c : rich in experience <a full life>

6

a : satisfied especially with food or drink

b : large enough to satisfy <a full meal>

7

archaic : completely weary

8

: having both parents in common <full sisters>

9

: having volume or depth of sound <full tones>

10

: completely occupied especially with a thought or plan <full of his own concerns>

11

: possessing a rich or pronounced quality <a food of full flavor>

— full of it

: not to be believed

Examples of FULL

1. The plane was carrying a full load of passengers.
2. The theater was full to capacity.
3. We bought a full set of dishes.
4. They waited for three full months.
5. He has a full array of stereo equipment.
6. The soldiers were wearing full combat gear.
7. This will be his first full season with the team.
8. His theories have not yet found full acceptance.
9. I hope that you'll give us your fullest cooperation.
10. Please give me your full attention.

Origin of FULL

Middle English, from Old English; akin to Old High German fol full, Latin plenus full, plēre to fill, Greek plērēs full, plēthein to be full

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to FULL

Synonyms

brimful, brimming, bursting, chockablock, chock-full (or chockful), crammed, crowded, fat, filled, jammed, jam-packed, loaded, packed, stuffed

Antonyms

bare, blank, devoid, empty, stark, vacant, void

Related Words

overcrowded, overfilled, overflowing, overfull, overladen, overloaded, overstuffed; abounding, flush, fraught, replete, rife, swarming, teeming

Near Antonyms

deficient, inadequate, incomplete, insufficient, short, shortish, shy, wanting; depleted, drained, exhausted

Synonym Discussion of FULL

full, complete, plenary, replete mean containing all that is wanted or needed or possible. full implies the presence or inclusion of everything that is wanted or required by something or that can be held, contained, or attained by it <a full schedule>. complete applies when all that is needed is present <a complete picture of the situation>. plenary adds to complete the implication of fullness without qualification <given plenary power>. replete implies being filled to the brim or to satiety <replete with delightful details>.

²full

adverb

Definition of FULL

1

a : very, extremely <knew full well they had lied to me>

b : entirely <swung full around — Morley Callaghan>

2

: straight, squarely <got hit full in the face>

3

—used as an intensive <wound up winning by a full four strokes — William Johnson>

Examples of FULL

1. The cup was filled full to the brim.
2. The ball hit him full in the chest.
3. He kissed her full on the lips.

First Known Use of FULL

before 12th century

Related to FULL

Synonyms

all, all of, all over, altogether, clean, completely, dead, enough, entire, entirely, even, exactly, fast, flat, fully, heartily, out, perfectly, plumb [chiefly dialect], quite, soundly, thoroughly, through and through, totally, utterly, well, wholly, wide

Antonyms

half, halfway, incompletely, part, partially, partly

Related Words

absolutely, categorically, cold, downright, hands down, plain, stone, stone-cold, unqualifiedly; basically, by and large, chiefly, generally, largely, mainly, more or less, mostly, overall, predominantly, predominately, primarily, principally, substantially; abundantly, copiously, generously, greatly

Near Antonyms

barely, hardly, just, kind of, marginally, minimally, scarcely, slightly, superficially; approximately, roughly, somewhat

Rhymes with FULL

bull, Bull, pull, shul, wool

³full

noun

Definition of FULL

1

: the highest or fullest state or degree <the full of the moon>

2

: the utmost extent <enjoy to the full>

— in full

1

: to the requisite or complete amount <paid in full>

2

: to the fullest extent : completely <read the book in full>

Examples of FULL

1. <the account is now paid in full>

First Known Use of FULL

14th century

Related to FULL

Synonyms

aggregate, whole, sum, summation, sum total, total, totality

Related Words

gross; completeness, comprehensiveness, cumulativeness, entirety; bulk, lion's share, mass; enchilada, schmear

Near Antonyms

net

⁴full

verb

Definition of FULL

intransitive verb

of the moon

: to become full

transitive verb

: to make full in sewing

First Known Use of FULL

1794

⁵full

transitive verb

Definition of FULL

: to shrink and thicken (woolen cloth) by moistening, heating, and pressing

Origin of FULL

Middle English, from Anglo-French fuller, fouler to full, trample underfoot, from Medieval Latin fullare, from Latin fullo fuller

First Known Use: 14th century