English Reference
noun

fullness

n.
US /ˈfʊɫnəs/ UK /fˈʊlnəs/ full·ness UK spelling fullnesses

  1. 01 B2 Upper Intermediate

    the state of being complete or having everything that is needed.

    the state of being complete or containing all possible elements; often used in the phrase 'in the fullness of time'.

    Simple

    The report explained the situation in its fullness so that everyone understood.

    In context

    The legal team presented the evidence in its fullness, ensuring that no detail of the contract was overlooked during the trial.

    Usage

    Often used with the preposition 'of' or in the fixed expression 'in the fullness of time'.

    emptinessincompleteness
  2. 02 B2 Upper Intermediate

    the feeling of being satisfied or having a full stomach after a meal.

    the physical sensation of satiety or being filled to capacity with food or drink.

    Simple

    A pleasant feeling of fullness came over him after the holiday dinner.

    In context

    The patient reported a persistent sense of fullness in the abdomen even after consuming only small amounts of liquid.

    Usage

    Usually uncountable in this context.

    satietysatisfaction
  3. 03 C1 Advanced Technical Music

    the quality of being deep, rich, or strong, especially for sounds or colours.

    the quality of being rich, resonant, or intense in tone, flavour, or visual appearance.

    Simple

    The singer's voice had a beautiful fullness that filled the entire hall.

    In context

    The conductor worked with the brass section to achieve a greater fullness of sound during the symphony's final movement.

    Usage

    Commonly used in artistic and technical descriptions of audio or visual media.

    thinness

From Middle English fulnesse, from Old English fulnes, fylnes, fyllnis (“completeness; abundance”), equivalent to full + -ness. Cognate with Old High German folnissi (“fullness”).

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Origin Old English fulnes
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Occasional
Updated