full
A1 (Extremely High)Universal; neutral. Used in all registers from formal to informal.
Definition
Meaning
Containing or holding as much or as many as possible; having no empty space.
1. Complete; whole. 2. Having a lot of something (e.g., details, energy). 3. Satisfied after eating. 4. At the highest or greatest degree.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Often used to describe a container's state, but also used metaphorically for experiences ('full life'), schedules ('full diary'), or sensory details ('full description').
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal. 'Full up' (meaning completely satisfied from eating) is slightly more common in UK informal speech. In US English, 'full' alone is standard for this meaning.
Connotations
Similar in both variants. Can imply satisfaction or, in some contexts, excess (e.g., 'full of himself').
Frequency
Equally frequent in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
be full of [NOUN]be full to [the brim/capacity][VERB] something fullfull [NOUN] (as in 'full member')Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “full of beans (energetic)”
- “full of oneself (conceited)”
- “full circle”
- “full steam ahead”
- “full of hot air”
- “the full monty”
- “in full swing”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to capacity, employment (full-time), price, or complete datasets.
Academic
Used to indicate completeness of a set, theory, or analysis.
Everyday
Primarily used for containers, stomachs, schedules, and emotional states.
Technical
Indicates maximum operational capacity or a complete state in computing, physics, etc.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The sail began to full as the wind caught it. (archaic/technical)
American English
- She fulled the wool to make it thicker. (archaic/technical)
adverb
British English
- She looked him full in the face. (directly)
- The ball hit him full on the chest. (directly)
American English
- He turned full around to see who was there. (completely)
- The sun was full in her eyes. (directly)
adjective
British English
- The bin is completely full; we need to empty it.
- After that roast dinner, I'm absolutely full up.
American English
- The parking lot is full; you'll have to find street parking.
- I'm too full for dessert right now.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- My glass is full of juice.
- The bus was full, so we waited for the next one.
- Please write your full name on the application form.
- I can't eat any more; I'm full.
- The report provides a full account of the incident.
- Her schedule is completely full until next month.
- The implications of the treaty were not fully understood for decades.
- He spoke with the full authority of his office.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a cup FULL of water. The two 'L's at the end look like the cup is so full it's overflowing.
Conceptual Metaphor
KNOWING IS SEEING / COMPLETENESS IS A CONTAINER FILLED TO THE TOP (e.g., 'I need the full picture', 'a full understanding').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid using 'full of' to mean 'very' (e.g., 'I'm full tired' is incorrect). Don't confuse with 'fulfil'. The adjective 'full' does not change for gender/number in English.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'full' as an adverb (e.g., 'He explained it full' instead of 'fully'). Confusing 'full with' vs. 'full of' (always 'full of').
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'full' incorrectly?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Always 'full of'. 'The box is full of books' is correct. 'Full with' is incorrect in standard modern English.
'Full' is a state (adjective). 'Filled' is often the result of an action (verb participle). A glass can *be* full, or someone can *have filled* it.
Only in specific, limited phrases meaning 'completely' or 'directly' (e.g., 'full well', 'hit it full on'). The standard adverb is 'fully'.
It means 'everything that is possible, included, or typical'. It emphasizes completeness or the entire extent of something.
Collections
Part of a collection
Basic Adjectives
A1 · 46 words · Fundamental describing words used every day.