English Reference
adverb

fully

adv.
US /ˈfʊɫi/ UK /fˈʊli/ ful·ly

  1. 01 B1 Intermediate

    completely or entirely, leaving nothing out.

    to the maximum extent or degree; entirely.

    Simple

    I fully understand the situation and I am ready to help.

    In context

    The board of directors fully supports the CEO's decision to expand into the Asian market despite the current economic climate.

    Usage

    Usually placed before a verb or an adjective.

  2. 02 B2 Upper Intermediate

    used to emphasize that a number or amount is large.

    used as an intensifier before a numerical value to emphasize its magnitude.

    Simple

    It took fully three hours to finish the exam.

    In context

    The restoration project took fully six months longer than the contractors had originally estimated in their proposal.

    Usage

    Always placed immediately before the number or quantity it modifies.

    at leastno less than
  3. 03 C1 Advanced InformalSlang

    used to show that you strongly agree or to make a word stronger.

    used as a general intensifier to emphasize the truth or intensity of a statement.

    Simple

    That movie was fully sick.

    In context

    I was fully expecting him to be angry, but he was actually quite calm about the whole mistake.

    Teacher's tip

    This usage is very common in Australian and New Zealand English as a way to say 'definitely' or 'totally'.

Usage fully understand · fully automated · fully aware

The public university has about 5,700 students and was the first fully state-supported four-year college for black Americans.

BreakingNews.ie· 15 Aug 2026

Both are fully fit for the new season.

Al Jazeera· 14 Aug 2026

Etymology 1

From Middle English fully, fulliche, volliche, from Old English fullīċe (“fully”), equivalent to full + -ly. Compare German völlig (“fully”), Swedish fullt (“fully”).

Etymology 2

A reference to the phrase "the prisoner was fully committed for trial".

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

This entry
Origin Old English fullīċe
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Very common
Updated