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

Demonstrator trials helped validate next-gen sailing technology Before deploying the technology on a full-scale cruise ship, Chantiers de l’Atlantique spent several years testing and refining the sail concept. —Bojan Stojkovski, Interesting Engineering, 15 Mar. 2026

Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 created new military cooperation between Moscow and Tehran. —Efrat Lachter, FOXNews.com, 14 Mar. 2026

After President Vladimir Putin ordered his full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the European Union — once Moscow’s biggest customer — stopped taking Russian oil, and many Western customers also shunned it. —David McHugh, Fortune, 14 Mar. 2026

The permanent exhibit includes a full-scale replica of the Nihonbashi Bridge, an arching wooden structure that once joined the five roads to Edo at the gate to the capital. —Jessica Kozuka, Travel + Leisure, 13 Mar. 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