full stop

noun

chiefly British

: a point . used to show the end of a sentence or an abbreviation : period sense 5a

… the full stop after the roman numeral …

—Eric Korn

He found that a full stop expressed his feelings too violently, and wrote the letter again, for the fifth time …

—Anthony Trollope

… ordered the initials 'F. C. W. K.,' with the customary untrained grape-vine-looking flourishes, and a large full stop, to be engraved forthwith.

—Charles Dickens

—used interjectionally to emphasize the finality of the preceding statement

… when it comes to parenting she's the boss, full stop.

—Pamela Druckerman

Examples of full stop in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Holly Ellyatt Quote of the week Tariffs are just not welcome, full stop. —Ian King, CNBC, 21 Jan. 2026

Anyone who loves driving will love the Amalfi, full stop. —Jonny Lieberman, Robb Report, 17 Jan. 2026

However, this year’s best K-drama—and one of the year’s best TV series, full stop—told a beautiful, deeply engaging story using only the stuff real life is made of. —Kayti Burt, Time, 18 Dec. 2025

Washington was taken into custody after his vehicle approached the Route 40 exit, coming to a full stop on the highway. —Andrew Adeolu, CBS News, 13 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1643, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for full stop

• atop
• backdrop
• backstop
• bebop
• blacktop
• bookshop
• clatsop
• desktop
• eavesdrop
• estop
• hardtop
• hilltop