Full: Definition, Meaning, and Examples

Last Updated on
December 18, 2025

1. Full (adjective): Containing as much as possible; not lacking space.
2. Full (adjective): Having eaten enough; satisfied.
3. Full (adjective): Complete or entire; lacking nothing.
4. Full (adjective): Having strong intensity or volume.
5. Full (verb): To make something more substantial or complete.
6. Full (adverb): Directly or completely.

The word "full" usually means something that contains as much as it can hold, like a full glass. It can also describe a feeling, such as being full after eating or full of emotion. Sometimes it's used to describe completeness or total effort, like "full speed" or "full attention." Learn more about how "full" shifts meaning across everyday situations and expressions.

"Full" Definition: What Does "Full" Mean?

"Full" has multiple meanings depending on its context, ranging from describing physical fullness to representing completeness or intensity.

Definition of "Full": Maximum Capacity

It describes something that cannot hold more, such as a glass filled to the top.

Definition of "Full": Satiated

Refers to a state of having eaten enough food to no longer be hungry.

Definition of "Full": Complete

Describes something that is entire or lacking nothing, such as a full report.

Definition of "Full": Strong or Intense

Used to express high intensity, such as full volume or full force.

Parts of Speech

"Full" functions mainly as an adjective, describing objects, emotions, and situations. It can also be used as an adverb meaning "completely" or as a verb in older or technical contexts.

How to Pronounce "Full"?

The word "full" is pronounced as "FUL." It has one syllable, with a short "u" sound. The pronunciation is similar to the word "pull," but with an "f" sound at the beginning. When saying "full," make sure to keep the vowel sound short and rounded, avoiding a long "oo" sound as in "fool."

Phonetic Pronunciation: /fʊl/.

Synonyms of "Full": Other Ways to Say "Full"

Other words that can replace "full" in different contexts include:

  • Complete
  • Filled
  • Packed
  • Entire
  • Loaded
  • Satisfied
  • Comprehensive
  • Ample
  • Intense
  • Whole

Antonyms of "Full": Other Ways to Say "Full"

Words that express the opposite of "full" include:

  • Empty
  • Partial
  • Incomplete
  • Hollow
  • Unfilled
  • Insufficient
  • Limited
  • Sparse

Examples of "Full" in a Sentence

Here are some examples of "full" used in various contexts:

  1. My cup is full of coffee.
  2. After dinner, I felt completely full.
  3. She gave me a full report on the project.
  4. The concert hall was full of excited fans.
  5. He took a full breath before diving into the pool.
  6. We need a full commitment to succeed.
  7. The moon was shining at its full brightness.
  8. She walked full speed into the room.
  9. The pantry was full of food supplies.
  10. The story was full of surprises.

Frequency of Use

The word "full" is extremely common in both written and spoken English. It appears often in books, articles, and conversation, making it a high-frequency word according to tools like the Google Ngram Viewer. Its simplicity and versatility keep it active in a wide range of contexts.

Variants of "Full"

Different variations of "full" include:

  1. Fully: An adverb meaning completely or entirely.
  2. Fullest: Superlative form, meaning the most full.
  3. Fulled: A past tense verb form referring to a textile process.

Related Terms to "Full"

Words related to "full" include:

  1. Complete
  2. Entire
  3. Filled
  4. Ample
  5. Saturated
  6. Plentiful
  7. Loaded

Etymology: History and Origins of "Full"

The word "full" comes from Old English ful, meaning "completely filled or satisfied." It has Germanic roots and is related to the Dutch "vol" and German "voll."

Derivatives and Compounds of "Full"

Some common derivatives and compounds include:

  1. Fulfillment: The state of being satisfied or achieving something.
  2. Full-bodied: Describing something rich or intense, such as wine.
  3. Full-scale: Something conducted at maximum level.

Common Misspellings of "Full"

People often misspell "full" in the following ways:

  1. Fulle
  2. Fool
  3. Foll

10 Idioms Similar to "Full"

Here are some idioms related to "full":

  1. Full of life
  2. Full steam ahead
  3. Full circle
  4. Full throttle
  5. Full plate
  6. At full capacity
  7. Full to the brim
  8. Live life to the fullest
  9. Full of energy
  10. Full of hot air

10 Common Questions About "Full"

1. What does "full" mean?

"Full" means containing as much as possible, complete, or having strong intensity. It can refer to a physical state, such as a full glass of water, or an abstract one, like a full understanding of a topic.

2. How is "full" used in a sentence?

Example: "The glass is full of water." Another example: "She gave me a full report on the situation." The word can be used in many contexts, from describing food consumption to expressing completeness in a project.

3. What is the opposite of "full"?

The opposite of "full" is "empty." However, in some cases, words like "partial" or "incomplete" might also be used as antonyms, depending on the context.

4. Is "full" an adjective?

Yes, "full" is primarily an adjective, describing something that contains as much as possible. However, it can also function as an adverb, meaning completely, or as a verb in an older sense, referring to a textile process.

5. What is the superlative of "full"?

The superlative form is "fullest," which is used to express the highest degree of fullness. 

6. Can "full" describe emotions?

Yes, "full" can describe emotions. For example, one can be "full of joy," meaning extremely happy, or "full of sorrow," meaning deeply sad. It is often used metaphorically to indicate strong emotions.

7. What is "full" in Old English?

"Full" comes from the Old English word "ful," meaning "completely filled or satisfied." It has Germanic roots and is related to similar words in Dutch ("vol") and German ("voll").

8. Does "full" have synonyms?

Yes, synonyms of "full" include "complete," "packed," "entire," "loaded," "satisfied," "ample," and "plentiful." The appropriate synonym depends on the specific context in which "full" is used.

9. Can "full" be a verb?

Yes, "full" was historically used as a verb in older English, particularly in reference to a process in textile making (fulling), where cloth was cleaned and thickened. 

10. What does "full speed ahead" mean?

"Full speed ahead" is an idiomatic expression that means to proceed with maximum effort or at the fastest possible pace. It is often used figuratively to indicate determination and progress.

Conclusion

The term "full" describes a state of completeness, maximum capacity, or total satisfaction, whether in a physical, emotional, or figurative sense. It remains a widely used term across different contexts, making it an essential part of the English language.

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