# full

/ˈfʊɫ/ (US) · /fˈʊl/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/full
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 5. the highest degree

noun · CEFR C1 · Formal

the greatest possible amount or the highest point of something.

For teachers: the utmost measure or extent; the state of being completely filled or at its peak.

- She enjoyed the beauty of the park to the full.
- The athlete lived his life to the full, embracing every challenge with the same intensity he brought to the stadium.

Usage: frequently appears in the idiomatic phrase 'to the full'.

### 6. completely or very

adverb · CEFR C2 · Archaic · Literary

completely or very much.

For teachers: to a complete or absolute degree; used as an intensifier.

- He knew full well that he was making a mistake.
- The moon shone full upon the valley, illuminating the silver mist that clung to the riverbanks.

Usage: most commonly survives in the modern idiom 'full well'.

## Examples

- The glass is full of water.
- I cannot eat another bite of dessert because I am completely full after that large dinner.
- The auditorium was full to capacity, forcing the latecomers to stand in the aisles while the keynote speaker delivered her address.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.