full
♦♦♦ full /f'ʊl/ (fuller fullest)
1 [ADJ]
If something is full, it contains as much of a substance or as many objects as it can.
Once the container is full, it stays shut until you turn it clockwise.
...a full tank of petrol.
≠ empty
2 [ADJ] v-link ADJ of n
If a place or thing is full of things or people, it contains a large number of them.
The case was full of clothes...
The streets are still full of debris from two nights of rioting.
...a useful recipe leaflet full of ideas for using the new cream.
= filled
3 [ADJ] v-link ADJ of n
If someone or something is full of a particular feeling or quality, they have a lot of it.
I feel full of confidence and so open to possibilities...
Mom's face was full of pain.
...an exquisite mousse, incredibly rich and full of flavour.
4 [ADJ] usu v-link ADJ
You say that a place or vehicle is full when there is no space left in it for any more people or things.
The main car park was full when I left about 10.45...
They stay here a few hours before being sent to refugee camps, which are now almost full...
The bus was completely full, and lots of people were standing.
5 [ADJ] v-link ADJ
If your hands or arms are full, you are carrying or holding as much as you can carry.
Sylvia entered, her arms full of packages...
People would go into the store and come out with their arms full.
6 [ADJ] v-link ADJ
If you feel full, you have eaten or drunk so much that you do not want anything else.
It's healthy to eat when I'm hungry and to stop when I'm full.
● fullness [N-UNCOUNT]
High fibre diets give the feeling of fullness.
7 [ADJ] ADJ n
You use full before a noun to indicate that you are referring to all the details, things, or people that it can possibly include.
Full details will be sent to you once your application has been accepted...
May I have your full name?...
= complete
8 [ADJ] ADJ n
Full is used to describe a sound, light, or physical force which is being produced with the greatest possible power or intensity.
From his study came the sound of Mahler, playing at full volume...
Then abruptly he revved the engine to full power.
[ADV] ADV adv
Full is also an adverb.
...a two-seater Lotus, parked with its headlamps full on.
9 [ADJ] ADJ n
You use full to emphasize the completeness, intensity, or extent of something.
We should conserve oil and gas by making full use of other energy sources...
Television cameras are carrying the full horror of this war into homes around the world...
The lane leading to the farm was in full view of the house windows...
10 [ADJ] usu ADJ n
A full statement or report contains a lot of information and detail.
Mr Primakov gave a full account of his meeting with the President.
...the enormous detail in this very full document.
11 [ADJ] usu ADJ n
If you say that someone has or leads a full life, you approve of the fact that they are always busy and do a lot of different things.
You will be successful in whatever you do and you will have a very full and interesting life.
12 [ADV] ADV prep
You use full to emphasize the force or directness with which someone or something is hit or looked at.
She kissed him full on the mouth...
13 [ADJ] ADJ n
You use full to refer to something which gives you all the rights, status, or importance for a particular position or activity, rather than just some of them.
How did the meeting go, did you get your full membership?...
14 [ADJ] ADJ n
A full flavour is strong and rich.
Italian plum tomatoes have a full flavour, and are best for cooking.
15 [ADJ] usu ADJ n
If you describe a part of someone's body as full, you mean that it is rounded and rather large.
The Juno Collection specialises in large sizes for ladies with a fuller figure.
...his strong chin, his full lips, his appealing mustache.
16 [ADJ] usu ADJ n
A full skirt or sleeve is wide and has been made from a lot of fabric.
My wedding dress has a very full skirt.
● fullness [N-UNCOUNT]
The coat has raglan sleeves, and is cut to give fullness at the back.
17 [ADJ] usu ADJ n
When there is a full moon, the moon appears as a bright, complete circle.
18 [PHRASE] PHR after v
You say that something has been done or described in full when everything that was necessary has been done or described.
The medical experts have yet to report in full...
= fully
19 [PHRASE] V inflects
If you say that a person knows full well that something is true, especially something unpleasant, you are emphasizing that they are definitely aware of it, although they may behave as if they are not.
He knew full well he'd be ashamed of himself later.
20 [PHRASE] PHR after v
Something that is done or experienced to the full is done to as great an extent as is possible.
She probably has a good mind, which should be used to the full...
21
to be full of beans: see bean
full blast: see blast
to come full circle: see circle
to have your hands full: see hand
in full swing: see swingfull board
also full-board
[N-UNCOUNT]
If the price at a hotel includes full board, it includes all your meals. (mainly BRIT)full dress
[N-UNCOUNT]
Someone who is in full dress is wearing all the clothes needed for a ceremony or formal occasion.full house (full houses)
[N-COUNT]
If a theatre has a full house for a particular performance, it has as large an audience as it can hold.
...playing to a full house.full marks
[N-PLURAL]
If you get full marks in a test or exam, you get everything right and gain the maximum number of marks. (BRIT; in AM, use a perfect score)
Most people in fact got full marks in one question and zero in the other.full monty /f'ʊl m'ɒnti/
[N-SING] the N
You use the full monty to describe something that impresses you because it includes everything that you could possibly expect it to include. (BRIT INFORMAL)
There was everything from simple piano to a full orchestral finish. The full monty.full stop (full stops)
[N-COUNT]
A full stop is the punctuation mark . which you use at the end of a sentence when it is not a question or exclamation. (BRIT; in AM, use period)full up
also full-up
1 [ADJ] v-link ADJ
Something that is full up has no space left for any more people or things.
The prisons are all full up.
2 [ADJ] v-link ADJ
If you are full up you have eaten or drunk so much that you do not want to eat or drink anything else. (INFORMAL)
1 [ADJ]
If something is full, it contains as much of a substance or as many objects as it can.
Once the container is full, it stays shut until you turn it clockwise.
...a full tank of petrol.
≠ empty
2 [ADJ] v-link ADJ of n
If a place or thing is full of things or people, it contains a large number of them.
The case was full of clothes...
The streets are still full of debris from two nights of rioting.
...a useful recipe leaflet full of ideas for using the new cream.
= filled
3 [ADJ] v-link ADJ of n
If someone or something is full of a particular feeling or quality, they have a lot of it.
I feel full of confidence and so open to possibilities...
Mom's face was full of pain.
...an exquisite mousse, incredibly rich and full of flavour.
4 [ADJ] usu v-link ADJ
You say that a place or vehicle is full when there is no space left in it for any more people or things.
The main car park was full when I left about 10.45...
They stay here a few hours before being sent to refugee camps, which are now almost full...
The bus was completely full, and lots of people were standing.
5 [ADJ] v-link ADJ
If your hands or arms are full, you are carrying or holding as much as you can carry.
Sylvia entered, her arms full of packages...
People would go into the store and come out with their arms full.
6 [ADJ] v-link ADJ
If you feel full, you have eaten or drunk so much that you do not want anything else.
It's healthy to eat when I'm hungry and to stop when I'm full.
● fullness [N-UNCOUNT]
High fibre diets give the feeling of fullness.
7 [ADJ] ADJ n
You use full before a noun to indicate that you are referring to all the details, things, or people that it can possibly include.
Full details will be sent to you once your application has been accepted...
May I have your full name?...
= complete
8 [ADJ] ADJ n
Full is used to describe a sound, light, or physical force which is being produced with the greatest possible power or intensity.
From his study came the sound of Mahler, playing at full volume...
Then abruptly he revved the engine to full power.
[ADV] ADV adv
Full is also an adverb.
...a two-seater Lotus, parked with its headlamps full on.
9 [ADJ] ADJ n
You use full to emphasize the completeness, intensity, or extent of something.
We should conserve oil and gas by making full use of other energy sources...
Television cameras are carrying the full horror of this war into homes around the world...
The lane leading to the farm was in full view of the house windows...
10 [ADJ] usu ADJ n
A full statement or report contains a lot of information and detail.
Mr Primakov gave a full account of his meeting with the President.
...the enormous detail in this very full document.
11 [ADJ] usu ADJ n
If you say that someone has or leads a full life, you approve of the fact that they are always busy and do a lot of different things.
You will be successful in whatever you do and you will have a very full and interesting life.
12 [ADV] ADV prep
You use full to emphasize the force or directness with which someone or something is hit or looked at.
She kissed him full on the mouth...
13 [ADJ] ADJ n
You use full to refer to something which gives you all the rights, status, or importance for a particular position or activity, rather than just some of them.
How did the meeting go, did you get your full membership?...
14 [ADJ] ADJ n
A full flavour is strong and rich.
Italian plum tomatoes have a full flavour, and are best for cooking.
15 [ADJ] usu ADJ n
If you describe a part of someone's body as full, you mean that it is rounded and rather large.
The Juno Collection specialises in large sizes for ladies with a fuller figure.
...his strong chin, his full lips, his appealing mustache.
16 [ADJ] usu ADJ n
A full skirt or sleeve is wide and has been made from a lot of fabric.
My wedding dress has a very full skirt.
● fullness [N-UNCOUNT]
The coat has raglan sleeves, and is cut to give fullness at the back.
17 [ADJ] usu ADJ n
When there is a full moon, the moon appears as a bright, complete circle.
18 [PHRASE] PHR after v
You say that something has been done or described in full when everything that was necessary has been done or described.
The medical experts have yet to report in full...
= fully
19 [PHRASE] V inflects
If you say that a person knows full well that something is true, especially something unpleasant, you are emphasizing that they are definitely aware of it, although they may behave as if they are not.
He knew full well he'd be ashamed of himself later.
20 [PHRASE] PHR after v
Something that is done or experienced to the full is done to as great an extent as is possible.
She probably has a good mind, which should be used to the full...
21
to be full of beans: see bean
full blast: see blast
to come full circle: see circle
to have your hands full: see hand
in full swing: see swingfull board
also full-board
[N-UNCOUNT]
If the price at a hotel includes full board, it includes all your meals. (mainly BRIT)full dress
[N-UNCOUNT]
Someone who is in full dress is wearing all the clothes needed for a ceremony or formal occasion.full house (full houses)
[N-COUNT]
If a theatre has a full house for a particular performance, it has as large an audience as it can hold.
...playing to a full house.full marks
[N-PLURAL]
If you get full marks in a test or exam, you get everything right and gain the maximum number of marks. (BRIT; in AM, use a perfect score)
Most people in fact got full marks in one question and zero in the other.full monty /f'ʊl m'ɒnti/
[N-SING] the N
You use the full monty to describe something that impresses you because it includes everything that you could possibly expect it to include. (BRIT INFORMAL)
There was everything from simple piano to a full orchestral finish. The full monty.full stop (full stops)
[N-COUNT]
A full stop is the punctuation mark . which you use at the end of a sentence when it is not a question or exclamation. (BRIT; in AM, use period)full up
also full-up
1 [ADJ] v-link ADJ
Something that is full up has no space left for any more people or things.
The prisons are all full up.
2 [ADJ] v-link ADJ
If you are full up you have eaten or drunk so much that you do not want to eat or drink anything else. (INFORMAL)