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

• all-out
• clean
• complete
• comprehensive
• exhaustive
• out-and-out
• thorough
• thoroughgoing
• total

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

Before Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, polling indicated that in four European countries that hosted U.S. nuclear weapons—Belgium, Germany, Italy, and the Netherlands—a plurality of respondents opposed such hosting arrangements. —Florence Gaub, Foreign Affairs, 24 June 2025

Its launch into Credo marks the brand’s first full-scale supplement roll out into retail, according to the company. —Emily Burns, Footwear News, 23 June 2025

Since its humble beginnings as a spontaneous late-night strip show at a New York City bar, Broadway Bares has grown into a full-scale production featuring elaborate costumes, themed choreography, celebrity cameos and dozens of Broadway performers who bare (almost) all in the name of a good cause. —Dave Quinn, People.com, 23 June 2025

In February, 2022, little more than a year into Biden’s Presidency, Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. —Joshua Yaffa, New Yorker, 23 June 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