full
gb/fˈʊl/ us/fˈʊl/
A1
English
~ 400
Senses
0 senses
adjective
A1
property
1
Containing as much as possible
Having no more space for anything else.
Usage pattern:
[container/place] is full of [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'full' with 'complete'. 'Full' refers to capacity, while 'complete' refers to all parts being present.
Synonyms
filled (Emphasizes that something has been made full, often recently.)
Antonyms
empty (Lacking contents; having nothing inside.)
Collocations
full of people
|full glass
|full capacity
|full house
|full load
Themes
daily life
|measurement
|space
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The glass is full of water.
- The theater was full for the premiere.
- Her bag was full of books and papers.
- The parking lot is completely full.
- By the end of the day, my schedule was full.
Learner examples
- The cup is full of tea.
- The room is full of people.
- My bag is full of clothes.
- The bus is full.
- His plate is full of food.
adjective
A1
property
2
Having eaten enough food
Not wanting to eat more because you have had enough food.
Usage pattern:
[person] is full (after [meal])
Common mistake:
Learners may say 'I am complete' instead of 'I am full' after eating. This is incorrect in English.
Synonyms
satiated (More formal; implies fully satisfied appetite.)
Antonyms
hungry (Wanting or needing food.)
Collocations
feel full
|too full
|completely full
Themes
food
|health
|food_drink
Examples
- I can't eat dessert, I'm full.
- After the big lunch, we all felt full.
- She pushed her plate away, saying she was full.
- I'm too full to move right now.
Learner examples
- I am full after lunch.
- He is full now.
- She feels full after dinner.
- We are full from the big meal.
adjective
A2
property
3
Complete in extent or degree
Having all parts or the whole amount; not partial.
Usage pattern:
full [amount/length/details]
Synonyms
complete (Almost interchangeable; 'full' can imply maximum extent rather than just all parts present.)
Antonyms
partial (Only part of the whole.)
Collocations
full details
|full amount
|full length
Themes
measurement
|time
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Please give me the full story.
- She worked a full day at the office.
- He has full control over the project.
- We need the full amount by Friday.
Learner examples
- I need the full story.
- He worked a full day.
- She has full control.
- We paid the full price.
adjective
B1
property
4
At maximum stage of development
At the highest point or stage something can reach.
Usage pattern:
in full [bloom/swing/flow]
Synonyms
peak (Suggests the very highest point; often used metaphorically.)
Antonyms
early stage (Before reaching maximum development.)
Collocations
full bloom
|full swing
|full flow
Themes
nature
|events
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The roses are in full bloom this week.
- The festival is now in full swing.
- Negotiations were in full flow when we arrived.
Learner examples
- The flowers are in full bloom.
- The party is in full swing.
- Talks are in full flow.
Grammar
Dictionary form
full
IPA
GB/fˈʊl/
US/fˈʊl/
Syllables & stress
full (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (full)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: full
- Comparative: fuller
- Superlative: fullest
Word family
Expressions
full circle
1/fˈʊl sˈɚkəl/
idiom
Return to original condition or place after change
To return to the same situation you started from after a series of changes.
Examples
- After years abroad, she came full circle and moved back to her hometown.
- The debate has come full circle to where it began.
full of oneself
1/fˈʊl əv wˌʌnsˈɛlf/
idiom
informal
Overly self-important or arrogant
Thinking you are very important or better than other people.
Examples
- Ever since he got promoted, he's been so full of himself.
- Don't be so full of yourself—you still have a lot to learn.
full blast
1/fˈʊl blˈæst/
fixed phrase
at maximum power or volume
At the highest possible power or volume.
Examples
- The air conditioner was running at full blast all afternoon.
- He had the music on full blast in his car.
full blast
2/fˈʊl blˈæst/
fixed phrase
At maximum power or intensity
Working or happening as strongly as possible.
Examples
- The stereo was playing at full blast.
- The heater is on full blast to keep us warm.
in full swing
1/ˈɪn fˈʊl swˈɪŋ/
idiom
At the highest point of activity or progress
Happening with a lot of activity and energy, at its busiest time.
Examples
- By midnight, the party was in full swing.
- The summer sales are now in full swing.
- Construction is now in full swing at the site.