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Meaning & use

full

adjective, adverb·Everyday

Last updated

UK/fʊl/
US/fʊl/

Meanings

  1. adjectivecomparable

    Holding as much as it can, with no space left.

    Grammar: Takes of for contents: a bag full of apples.

    Patterns

    • full of something
    • full to the brim

    The bus was full, so we waited for the next.

    She filled the glass until it was full.

    The fridge is full of leftovers.

  2. adjectivebefore a noun

    Complete, with nothing missing.

    Grammar: Comes before a noun: the full story, a full year.

    Patterns

    • in full
    • at full speed

    Please give your full name.

    It took a full week to repair the roof.

    He paid the bill in full.

  3. adjectiveafter a verb

    Having eaten enough and not wanting more.

    Grammar: Often after be: I'm full.

    Patterns

    • be full up

    I can't eat dessert because I'm full.

    The baby is full and has stopped drinking.

    We were full after the first course.

  4. adjectivecomparable

    Busy or crowded with activity.

    Grammar: Often a full schedule or full day.

    Patterns

    • full of something

    She has a full schedule this week.

    It was a full day of meetings.

    The calendar is full until June.

  5. adverbnot comparable

    Directly or completely.

    Grammar: Used before a preposition: full in the face.

    Patterns

    • full in the face

    The sun hit him full in the face.

    She looked him full in the eye.

    The ball struck the wall full on.

Word forms

comparativefuller
superlativefullest

Common combinations

full of
The room was full of laughter.
full time
She works full time at a bakery.
full speed
The train ran at full speed.
full moon
A full moon lit the path.
full name
Write your full name on the form.
in full
The debt was paid in full.

Synonyms and how they differ

packed
Packed suggests a very tight, crowded fullness, more extreme than full.
complete
Complete means with no part missing and does not refer to space.
filled
Filled stresses that something was put in, while full describes the resulting state.
stuffed
Stuffed is informal and implies being over-filled, especially with food.

Opposites

emptyvacanthungry

Word family

fully adverb
completely
fullness noun
the state of being full
fill verb
to make full
fullest adjective
the most complete degree

Commonly confused: full or fool?

full vs fool

Fool means a silly person, and is pronounced differently from full.

Practice

I can't eat any more; I'm completely ______.

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