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Meaning & use

full board

noun·EverydayBritish

Last updated

UK/ˌfʊl ˈbɔːd/
US/ˌfʊl ˈbɔːrd/

Meanings

  1. noununcountableBritish

    A hotel arrangement in which the price includes a room and all three main meals each day.

    Grammar: No article is needed after on or for: we stayed on full board.

    Patterns

    • on full board
    • full board at a hotel

    We booked the hotel on full board, so we never had to find a restaurant.

    The price of the holiday includes full board and airport transfers.

    Full board costs more than half board, but drinks are extra.

  2. nounsingularbusiness

    The complete set of directors or members of a board, with every seat filled or every person present.

    Grammar: Usually follows an or the: a full board met on Monday.

    Patterns

    • a full board of something
    • the full board meets

    The full board will vote on the merger next week.

    A full board attended the meeting, so a decision was possible.

    The charity wants a full board of ten trustees by spring.

Common combinations

on full board
They spent a week on full board at a seaside hotel.
full board accommodation
The package offers full board accommodation in a mountain lodge.
book full board
If you book full board, lunch and dinner are served in the main hall.
full board rate
The full board rate is higher on weekends.
full board meeting
The full board meeting is scheduled for noon.

Synonyms and how they differ

American plan
American plan is the US term for a room price that includes all meals, and it is less common in everyday talk than full board.
all-inclusive
All-inclusive also covers drinks, snacks and activities, so it is broader than full board.
room and board
Room and board is a general phrase for lodging with meals, used for students and workers as well as hotel guests.

Opposites

room onlyself-catering

Word family

half board noun
a hotel price that includes breakfast and one other meal
board noun
meals provided as part of a stay
boarder noun
a person who pays to live and eat in someone's home or school

Commonly confused: full board or half board? full board or bed and breakfast?

full board vs half board

Half board includes only breakfast and one other meal, while full board includes all three meals.

full board vs bed and breakfast

Bed and breakfast includes only the room and the first meal of the day, so it is much less than full board.

Practice

A hotel price that includes breakfast, lunch and dinner is called ___.

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