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 of full-scale

• 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

What started as a low-key insider hang has grown into a full-scale spectacle in the Coachella Valley, complete with carnival rides, immersive activations and surprise performances — cementing its status as a sought-after, culture-shaping event. —Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 10 Apr. 2026

Russian Urals crude oil prices, meanwhile, reached levels as much as $30 above Brent in recent weeks, Molchanov said, noting that Urals have traded at steep discounts to Brent since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in early 2022. —Sam Meredith, CNBC, 10 Apr. 2026

Ukraine has been a country living through war for more than four years, since Russia’s full-scale invasion. —Greg Dixon, NPR, 10 Apr. 2026

Officials claimed the drastic measures were needed to thwart Ukrainian drones relying on Russian cellphone internet for navigation as Kyiv tries to strike back during Moscow's 4-year-old full-scale invasion. —ABC News, 9 Apr. 2026

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