full
1completely filled; containing all that can be held; filled to utmost capacity: a full cup.
unable to consume more food or drink; physically satisfied by what one has eaten or drunk: too full to eat another bite;feeling full after a big breakfast.
of the maximum size, amount, extent, volume, etc.: a full load of five tons;to receive full pay.
(of garments, drapery, etc.) wide, ample, or having ample folds.
abundant; well-supplied: a yard full of litter;a cabinet full of medicine.
filled or rounded out, as in form: a full figure.
engrossed; occupied (usually followed by of): She was full of her own anxieties.
of the same parents: They are full brothers, but have a much younger half sister.
Music. ample and complete in volume or richness of sound.
(especially of wine, beer, or coffee) having considerable body and flavor: It's a lovely brew, exceptionally dark and full.
Baseball.
(of the count on a batter) amounting to three balls and two strikes: He hit a slider for a homer on a full count.
(of the bases) having base runners at each; loaded: The bases were full and nobody was out.
being slightly oversized, as a sheet of glass cut too large to fit into a frame.
Poker. of or relating to the three cards of the same denomination in a full house: He won the hand with a pair of kings and sixes full.
exactly or directly: The blow struck him full in the face.
very: You know full well what I mean.
fully, completely, or entirely; quite; at least: The blow knocked him full around.It happened full 30 years ago.
Sewing.
to make full, as by gathering or pleating.
to bring (the cloth) on one side of a seam to a little greater fullness than on the other by gathering or tucking very slightly.
(of the moon) to become full.
the highest or fullest state, condition, or degree: The moon is at the full.
Baseball. a full count: Yellich has taken it to full in all four of his at-bats.
Idioms about full
in full,
to or for the full or required amount.
without abridgment: The book was reprinted in full.
to the full, to the greatest extent; thoroughly: They enjoyed themselves to the full.
Origin of full
1Other words from full
- full·ness, noun
Words that may be confused with full
Words Nearby full
Other definitions for full (2 of 2)
to cleanse and thicken (cloth) by special processes in manufacture.
(of cloth) to become compacted or felted.
Origin of full
2Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use full in a sentence
To put it rather uncharitably, the USPHS practiced a major dental experiment on a city full of unconsenting subjects.
Could the (thus far) timid trembling give way to a full-on, grand mal seizure?
26 Earthquakes Later, Fracking’s Smoking Gun Is in Texas | James Joiner | January 7, 2015 | THE DAILY BEASTSo we know that boring down to the bedrock and pumping it full of fluid can cause earthquakes.
26 Earthquakes Later, Fracking’s Smoking Gun Is in Texas | James Joiner | January 7, 2015 | THE DAILY BEASTIt used to carry livestock but sailed its final voyage with a hold full of Syrian men, women, and children.
Whether he gets his full due in popular culture remains to be seen.
Ed Brooke: The Senate's Civil Rights Pioneer and Prophet of a Post-Racial America | John Avlon | January 4, 2015 | THE DAILY BEAST
It ended on a complaint that she was 'tired rather and spending my time at full length on a deck-chair in the garden.'
The Wave | Algernon BlackwoodAs long as may be necessary, Sam,” replied Mr. Pickwick, “you have my full permission to remain.
The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club, v. 2(of 2) | Charles DickensIt is full of poetic feeling, and the flesh tints are unusually natural.
Women in the fine arts, from the Seventh Century B.C. to the Twentieth Century A.D. | Clara Erskine ClementA small book, bound in full purple calf, lay half hidden in a nest of fine tissue paper on the dressing-table.
Hilda Lessways | Arnold BennettOne would not have wanted her white neck a mite less full or her beautiful arms more slender.
The Awakening and Selected Short Stories | Kate Chopin
British Dictionary definitions for full (1 of 2)
/ (fʊl) /
holding or containing as much as possible; filled to capacity or near capacity
abundant in supply, quantity, number, etc: full of energy
having consumed enough food or drink
(esp of the face or figure) rounded or plump; not thin
(prenominal) with no part lacking; complete: a full dozen
(prenominal) with all privileges, rights, etc; not restricted: a full member
(prenominal) of, relating to, or designating a relationship established by descent from the same parents: full brother
filled with emotion or sentiment: a full heart
(postpositive foll by of) occupied or engrossed (with): full of his own projects
music
powerful or rich in volume and sound
completing a piece or section; concluding: a full close
(of a garment, esp a skirt) containing a large amount of fabric; of ample cut
(of sails, etc) distended by wind
(of wine, such as a burgundy) having a heavy body
(of a colour) containing a large quantity of pure hue as opposed to white or grey; rich; saturated
informal drunk
full and by nautical another term for close-hauled
full of oneself full of pride or conceit; egoistic
full up filled to capacity: the cinema was full up
in full cry (esp of a pack of hounds) in hot pursuit of quarry
in full swing at the height of activity: the party was in full swing
completely; entirely
(in combination): full-grown; full-fledged
exactly; directly; right: he hit him full in the stomach
very; extremely (esp in the phrase full well)
full out with maximum effort or speed
the greatest degree, extent, etc
British a ridge of sand or shingle along a seashore
in full without omitting, decreasing, or shortening: we paid in full for our mistake
to the full to the greatest extent; thoroughly; fully
(tr) needlework to gather or tuck
(intr) (of the moon) to be fully illuminated
Origin of full
1Derived forms of full
- fullness or esp US fulness, noun
British Dictionary definitions for full (2 of 2)
/ (fʊl) /
(of cloth, yarn, etc) to become or to make (cloth, yarn, etc) heavier and more compact during manufacture through shrinking and beating or pressing
Origin of full
2Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Other Idioms and Phrases with full
In addition to the idioms beginning with full
- full blast
- full circle, come
- full of beans
- full of crap
- full of hot air
- full of it
- full of oneself
- full speed ahead
- full swing
- full tilt, at
- full well
also see:
- glass is half full
- have one's hands full
- in full swing
- to the full
Also see underfill.
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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