full-scale

adjective

ˈfu̇l-ˌskāl 

1

: identical to an original in proportion and size

full-scale drawing

2

a

: involving full use of available resources

a full-scale biography

full-scale war

b

: total, complete

a full-scale musical renaissance

—Current Biography

Synonyms

• thorough
• extensive
• comprehensive
• complete
• sweeping
• exhaustive

Examples of full-scale in a Sentence

a full-scale search and rescue for the victims of the rock slide

Recent Examples on the Web

Since Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has appealed for foreign fighters to join his country’s International Legion, which supplements the army’s ranks to counter Russia’s incursion. —Rebecca Johns, Miami Herald, 6 Sep. 2025

The data collected will be used to validate mechanical models that will inform the final design of the full-scale propellant tanks. —Eric Berger, ArsTechnica, 5 Sep. 2025

The numbers dropped off after 2016 but dramatically rose again in 2022, following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. —Sebastian Shukla, CNN Money, 5 Sep. 2025

Security guarantees are intended to reassure Ukraine and deter Russia, which launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, from attacking its neighbour again. —John Irish, USA Today, 5 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1887, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for full-scale

• airmail
• assail
• avail
• bewail
• blackmail
• cattail
• cocktail
• curtail
• derail
• detail
• dovetail
• email

Kids Definition

full-scale

adjective

ˈfu̇l-ˈskā(ə)l

1

: identical to an original in size

2

: not limited in any way : using everything that can be used

a full-scale war