Definitions
01containing the maximum amount
A1 · Beginner
adj. holding as much as possible with no space left.
adj. containing the maximum possible amount that can fit in the space available.
“The bus was so full that we had to wait for the next one.”
“The auditorium was full to capacity, forcing the organisers to turn away latecomers at the door.”
02complete
A2 · Elementary
adj. having all the parts or details; not missing anything.
adj. complete in every detail; containing all necessary or normal parts.
Español:completo
“You need to provide your full name and address on the form.”
“The report provides a full account of the incident, including witness statements and forensic evidence.”
Antonyms
03not hungry
A2 · Elementary Informal
adj. having eaten enough food so you do not want any more.
adj. having eaten to the point of satisfaction or satiety.
“No dessert for me, thanks; I am completely full.”
“After the five-course banquet, the guests felt far too full to participate in the scheduled dancing.”
Synonyms
04rich in sound or flavour
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. having a strong, deep, or pleasant quality.
adj. possessing depth, body, or richness, particularly regarding sound, flavour, or colour.
“This red wine has a very full flavour that goes well with meat.”
“The singer's full, resonant voice carried easily to the back of the concert hall without amplification.”
05completely or directly
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adv. completely or directly in a certain spot.
adv. to a complete or absolute degree; directly or squarely.
“The ball hit him full in the face.”
“The sunlight shone full on the painting, highlighting the intricate textures of the brushwork.”
Synonyms
06the maximum amount
C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Formal
n. the highest possible level or the complete amount.
n. the utmost measure or extent; the state of being complete.
“She enjoyed her life to the full.”
“The committee was briefed to the full on the implications of the new policy.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “full” in context.
Etymology
From Middle English ful, from Old English full (“full”), from Proto-West Germanic full, from Proto-Germanic fullaz (“full”), from Proto-Indo-European *pl̥h₁nós (“full”). Germanic cognates include West Frisian fol, Low German vull, Dutch vol, German voll, Danish fuld, and Norwegian and Swedish full (the latter three via Old Norse). Proto-Indo-European cognates include English plenty (via Latin, compare plēnus), Welsh llawn, Russian по́лный (pólnyj), Lithuanian pilnas, Persian پر (por), Sanskrit पूर्ण (pūrṇá). See also fele and Scots fou (whence the English doublet fou (“drunk”)). For the "drunk, intoxicated" sense, compare also Swedish full and other Scandinavian languages.
From Middle English fulle, fylle, fille, from Old English fyllu, fyllo (“fullness, fill, plenty”), from Proto-Germanic fullį̄, fulnō (“fullness, filling, overflow”), from Proto-Indo-European plūno-, plno- (“full”), from pelh₁-, pleh₁- (“to fill; full”). Cognate with German Fülle (“fullness, fill”), Icelandic fylli (“fulness, fill”). More at fill.
From Middle English fullen, fulwen (“to baptise”), from Old English fullian, fulwian (“to baptise”), from full- + wīhan (later wēon (“to make holy”)). Compare Old English fulluht, fulwiht (“baptism”).
From Middle English fullen (“to full”), from Anglo-Norman fuller, fuler, Middle French foller, fouler, from Old French foler, fouler (“to tread, stamp, full”), from Medieval Latin fullāre, from Latin fullō (“a fuller”). Compare Old English fullian (“to full”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
Related words
Idioms
01. come full circle
02. few cards shy of a full deck
03. full blast
04. full butt
05. full circle
06. full marks
07. full of beans
08. full of hot air
09. full of it
10. full of oneself
Show all 20
12. full ride
13. full speed ahead
14. full tilt
15. full tilt boogie
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.A1 MoversIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.2.0–3.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 1.0–1.50–23TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.120–224
- Frequency
- Very common
- Level
- A1 · BeginnerOxford
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/full
「カタカナ語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0
Traducciones: Kaikki.org (Wiktionary), CC BY-SA 4.0