# fully

/ˈfʊɫi/ (US) · /fˈʊli/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. completely

adverb · CEFR B1

completely or entirely, leaving nothing out.

For teachers: to the maximum extent or degree; entirely.

- I fully understand the situation and I am ready to help.
- 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. at least

adverb · CEFR B2

used to emphasize that a number or amount is large.

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

- It took fully three hours to finish the exam.
- 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.

### 3. really or totally

adverb · CEFR C1 · Informal · Slang

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

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

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

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

## Examples

- I fully understand the situation now.
- The insurance company refused to pay because the car was not fully covered under the basic policy.
- To appreciate the historical significance of the cathedral, one must fully engage with the architectural details that distinguish it from its contemporary counterparts.

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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.