Definition of “full” - English Dictionary

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“full” in English

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fulladjective

uk ​ /fʊl/ us ​ /fʊl/

full adjective (CONTAINING A LOT)

A2 (of a container or a space) holding or containing as much as possible or a lot:

This cup is very full so be careful with it.
My plate was already full.
I tried to get in the cinema last night but it was full.
Don't talk with your mouth full!
The shelves were full of books.
When she looked at him her eyes were full of tears.
I tried to get on the 8.45 train but it was full.
Don't fill your glass too full or you'll spill it.
The stadium was only half full.

A2 containing a lot of things or people or a lot of something:

This sweater is full of holes.
His essay was full of spelling errors.
I'm full of admiration for you.
You're always so full of energy.

› involving a lot of activities:

I've got a full week next week - could we postpone our meeting?
She has a very full life.
be full of sth

› UK to be talking or thinking a lot about something that you have enjoyed or found exciting:

"Did the kids enjoy their trip to the zoo?" "Oh, yes, they were full of it when they got back this afternoon."
be full of your own importance disapproving

› to think and act as if you are very important:

Since he got his new job, he's been very full of his own importance.
be full of yourself C2 disapproving

› to think that you are very important in a way that annoys other people:

I can't stand her - she's so full of herself.

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full adjective (COMPLETE)

A2 [ before noun ] complete, whole, or containing a lot of detail:

Please give your full name and address.
We do not yet have full details of the story.
Few journalists have managed to convey the full horror of the situation.
Scientists have not yet determined the full impact of the oil spill.
Today's my last full day in Paris.
He unwound the rope to its full extent.
Are you a full member (= do you have all the membership rights) of the club?
Some plants need to be in full sun (= to have the sun shining on them) all the time.
in full

B1 completely:

The bill must be paid in full by the end of the month.
in full flow

› UK If an activity is in full flow, it is happening fast and with energy:

Preparations for the event are now in full flow.
be in full swing

› If an event is in full swing, it has already been happening for a period of time and there is a lot of activity:

The party was in full swing by the time we arrived.
in full view

› able to be seen by other people:

Andy kissedVicki full on the lips in full view of her friends.

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full adjective (GREATEST POSSIBLE)

B1 [ before noun ] the greatest possible:

James is very bright, but he doesn't make full use of his abilities.
Nobody got full marks (= all the answers right) in the spelling test.
It doesn't seem likely that we will see a return to full employment (= that all the people in the country will have a job) in the near future.

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full adjective (FOOD)

B2 also full up having eaten so much food that you cannot eat any more:

No more cake for me, thanks, I'm full.
on a full stomach

› having recently eaten:

Never go swimming on a full stomach.

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full adjective (LARGE)

› (of clothing) loose or containing a lot of material, or (of parts of the body) quite large and rounded:

a full skirt
Women often have full faces/become full in the face when they're pregnant.
Her full lips curved into a smile.

› used to avoid saying "fat":

They advertise clothes "for the fuller figure".

Thesaurus: synonyms and related words

Grammar

Full or filled?Full is an adjective, and means ‘containing a lot’: …

Idiom(s)

(at) full blast
(at) full speed/tilt/pelt
(at) full stretch
be full of beans
be full of the joys of spring
be in full cry
come/go/turn full circle
full marks to sb
full steam ahead

fulladverb

uk ​ /fʊl/ us ​ /fʊl/

fullnoun

uk ​ /fʊl/ us ​ /fʊl/

(Definition of “full” from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press)

“full” in American English

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fulladjective

us ​ /fʊl/

full adjective (CONTAINING A LOT)

› having or containing a lot:

The glass is full, so be careful not to spill it.
This sweater is full of holes.
You’re always so full of energy.
Don’t talk with your mouth full (= with food in your mouth)!
I have a full schedule (= a lot of activities planned) next week.

full adjective (ATE ENOUGH)

› having eaten so much that you do not want to eat any more:

I’m so full I couldn’t eat another bite.

full adjective (WHOLE)

› [ not gradable ] including all of something or everything; whole:

What should we do on our last full day in New York?

full adjective (GREATEST POSSIBLE)

› [ not gradable ] the greatest possible; maximum:

We don’t make full use of our basement.
My roommate’s stereo was on full blast (= as loudly as possible).

full adjective (LARGE)

› [ -er/-est only ] (of clothing) loose or containing a lot of material, or (of the body) large and rounded:

full face/lips/mouth
The dress was tight at the waist with a very full skirt and puffy sleeves.

full adjective (STRONG)

› [ -er/-est only ] (of a flavor, sound, or smell) strong or deep:

A cello has a fuller sound than a violin.

Idiom(s)

full circle
full of yourself
(at) full throttle
someone is full of it
in full swing
on a full stomach

fulladverb [ not gradable ]

us ​ /fʊl/

full adverb [ not gradable ] (DIRECTLY )

› directly:

The biting wind was blowing full in his face.

Idiom(s)

know full well

(Definition of “full” from the Cambridge Academic Content Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)

“full” in Business English

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fulladjective

uk ​ /fʊl/ us ​

› complete or whole:

the full amount/cost Only people without health insurance are charged the full amount.
the full benefit/impact It is still not known what the full impact of the economic sanctions will be on the domestic economy.
Officials said the airline was operating at full capacity yesterday.
If the customer kept the items for the full 90 days that many stores allow for a return, the season for a particular fashion might have passed.

› containing a lot of detail or all the necessary details:

Please include your full name and address with your order.
For full details, please visit our website.
full price [ C or U ]

› a price that has not been reduced:

Customers who do not have a proof of age card have to pay full price.
at full stretch

› working as hard as possible, or using all available money, materials, time, etc.:

be/work at full stretch Plants are continuing to work at full stretch to meet both domestic and export demand.
They claimed they were operating at full stretch and could not afford to lower rates as margins were already pared to the bone .
in full

› completely:

The bill must be paid in full by the end of the month.

(Definition of “full” from the Cambridge Business English Dictionary © Cambridge University Press)

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