Full: meaning, definitions and examples

๐ŸŒ•
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full

 

[ fสŠl ]

Adjective / Adverb / Noun
Oxford 3000
Context #1 | Adjective

in a complete and unbroken state

Having all the necessary or appropriate parts; entire. Containing all that is normal or possible. Completely filled; containing all that can be held; filled to utmost capacity.

Synonyms

complete, entire, maximum, total, whole.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
full

Used when something is at its maximum capacity or contains as much as it can hold. It can refer to both physical and abstract states.

  • The glass is full of water.
  • My schedule is full today.
complete

Indicates that something is finished or has all necessary parts. Often used in contexts involving tasks, projects, or processes.

  • The project is complete.
  • Please complete the form.
entire

Refers to something in its whole or undivided state. It emphasizes the inclusiveness of all parts or elements.

  • He read the entire book in one day.
  • They spent the entire weekend at the beach.
total

Adds up all parts to form a sum. Often used in mathematical, statistical, or financial contexts.

  • He ate a total of five cookies.
  • The total cost of the trip was $500.
whole

Refers to something entire or complete, often emphasizing the integrity or unity of the object or concept.

  • She ate the whole cake by herself.
  • He dedicated his whole life to science.
maximum

Used to describe the highest level or amount that is allowed or possible. Often used in formal, technical, or mathematical contexts.

  • The speed limit is set to a maximum of 70 mph.
  • He reached the maximum score possible in the test.

Examples of usage

  • The glass was full of water.
  • She gave him a full explanation of the project.
Context #2 | Adverb

completely; entirely

Completely; entirely; without lacking any part or element. To the greatest extent or degree; totally. Straight; directly; without turning.

Synonyms

completely, entirely, fully, totally, wholly.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
full

Used to describe when something is filled to capacity or when an action is done with maximum effort or extent.

  • The glass is full of water
  • He gave a full account of what happened
completely

Used to emphasize totality or entirety, often suggesting that nothing is left out or undone.

  • She was completely exhausted after the hike
  • The room was completely dark
entirely

Used to denote that something is whole or total, often used interchangeably with 'completely' but may slightly emphasize the aspect of individually considering parts adding to a whole.

  • I am not entirely sure about the details
  • The project was entirely his idea
totally

Commonly used in informal contexts to stress complete agreement, belief, or realization.

  • I am totally sure that we can finish this by tomorrow
  • She was totally surprised by the party
wholly

Used in formal or written contexts to emphasize that something is done completely or entirely without division.

  • The proposal was wholly unacceptable to the board
  • The company is now wholly owned by a single shareholder
fully

Typically used in formal or written contexts, indicating that something is done to its full extent or capacity.

  • Make sure the application form is fully completed
  • The software is not yet fully operational

Examples of usage

  • He drank the glass full.
  • She looked at him full in the face.
Context #3 | Noun

the highest or fullest state, degree, or amount

The highest or fullest state, degree, or amount. The utmost extent or degree; maximum. The whole amount, quantity, or duration.

Synonyms

fullest extent, maximum, maximum capacity, totality, utmost.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
full

This can be used in both literal and figurative senses to describe something that has reached its complete amount or volume.

  • The glass is full
  • She felt full after the big meal
maximum

This is used to describe the highest limit or point that can be reached in terms of quantity, degree, or size.

  • The room can hold a maximum of 100 people
  • He achieved the maximum score on the test
utmost

This is usually used to emphasize the greatest degree or effort in a situation, often to convey importance or urgency.

  • He gave his utmost effort in the competition
  • It is of the utmost importance to arrive on time
maximum capacity

Frequently used in technical or logistical contexts to indicate the largest amount or number that can be contained or managed.

  • The elevator has reached its maximum capacity
  • The theater is at its maximum capacity for tonight's show
fullest extent

Often used in formal or legal contexts to emphasize the complete use or application of something.

  • He pursued the matter to the fullest extent
  • They utilized the resources to the fullest extent possible
totality

Often used in formal writing or discussions to refer to the complete amount or entirety of something.

  • We need to address the problem in its totality
  • The totality of circumstances must be considered

Examples of usage

  • The glass was filled to the full.
  • She reached her full potential.

Translations

Translations of the word "full" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น completo

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคชเฅ‚เคฐเฅเคฃ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช voll

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ penuh

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะฟะพะฒะฝะธะน

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ peล‚ny

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ๅฎŒๅ…จใช

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท complet

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ completo

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท tam

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ์™„์ „ํ•œ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ูƒุงู…ู„

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ plnรฝ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ plnรฝ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ๅฎŒๆ•ด็š„

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ poln

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ fullur

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ั‚ะพะปั‹า›

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒกแƒ แƒฃแƒšแƒ˜

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ tam

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ completo

Etymology

The word 'full' originated from Old English 'full', meaning 'containing all that can be contained; filled to the top'. The word has been used in English for centuries to describe completeness, entirety, and maximum capacity. Over time, 'full' has become a versatile word used in various contexts to convey the idea of totality and completeness.

See also: fullness, fully.

Word Frequency Rank

With position #230, this word is vital for basic English fluency. It appears very frequently in everyday language and should be among the first words you learn and actively use.