# fuller

/ˈfʊɫɝ/ (US) · /fˈʊlɐ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/fuller
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 2. cloth worker

noun · CEFR C2 · Archaic

a person whose job was to clean and thicken wool cloth.

For teachers: a person who fulls cloth, a process in woollen manufacturing involving the cleansing and thickening of the fabric.

- In the medieval village, the fuller was responsible for preparing the wool for the tailors.
- The local economy once thrived on the textile trade, employing dozens of fullers who worked in the mills along the river.

Teaching tip: This sense is primarily encountered in historical contexts or as the origin of the common English surname Fuller.

### 3. blacksmithing tool or groove

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

a tool used by a blacksmith to shape metal, or the groove it makes in a blade.

For teachers: a tool with a rounded or convex face used by blacksmiths for spreading or grooving metal; also the longitudinal groove in a sword blade.

- The blacksmith used a fuller to create a channel in the hot iron bar.
- The sword featured a deep fuller along the centre of the blade, designed to reduce weight without sacrificing structural strength.

Teaching tip: In weapon history, the groove is sometimes incorrectly called a 'blood groove'; the technical term is a fuller.

### 4. to make a groove

verb · CEFR C2 · Technical

to make a long, narrow cut or groove in metal.

For teachers: to form a groove or channel in metal using a fuller tool or a set hammer.

- The smith began to fuller the blade to make it lighter for the soldier.
- The artisan carefully fullered the heated steel, ensuring the depth of the channel remained consistent across the entire length of the piece.

Usage: This is a transitive verb that requires a direct object, usually a piece of metal or a blade.

## Examples

- The fuller worked all day cleaning the heavy wool.
- In medieval towns, the fuller played a vital role in the local economy by preparing raw cloth for the tailors.
- The surname Fuller originally identified those whose trade involved the laborious process of scouring and milling cloth to increase its density and durability.

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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.