full¹ / foŏl/ • adj. 1. containing or holding as much or as many as possible; having no empty space: wastebaskets full of rubbish she could only nod, for her mouth was full. ∎  having eaten or drunk to one's limits or satisfaction.See also full up below. ∎  (full of) containing or holding much or many; having a large number of: his diary is full of entries about her. ∎  (full of) having a lot of (a particular quality): she was full of confidence. ∎  (full of) completely engrossed with; unable to stop talking or thinking about: Anna had been full of her day, saying how Mitch had described England to her. ∎  filled with intense emotion: she picked at her food, her heart too full to eat. ∎  involving a lot of activities: he lived a full life.2. not lacking or omitting anything; complete: fill in your full name below full details on request. ∎  (often used for emphasis) reaching the utmost limit; maximum: he reached for the engine control and turned it up to full power John made full use of all the tuition provided. ∎  having all the privileges and status attached to a particular position: the country applied for full membership in the European Community. ∎  (of a report or account) containing as much detail or information as possible. ∎  used to emphasize an amount or quantity: he kept his fast pace going for the full 14-mile distance. ∎  (of a covering material in bookbinding) used for the entire cover: bound in full cloth.3. (of a person or part of their body) plump or rounded: she had full lips the fuller figure. ∎  (of the hair) having body. ∎  (of a garment) made using much material arranged in folds or gathers, or generously cut so as to fit loosely: the dress has a square neck and a full skirt. ∎  (of a sound) strong and resonant. ∎  (of a flavor or color) rich or intense.• adv. 1. straight; directly: she turned her head and looked full into his face.2. very: he knew full well she was too polite to barge in.• v. 1. [tr.] black English make (something) full; fill up: he full up the house with bawling.2. [tr.] gather or pleat (fabric) so as to make a garment full.3. [intr.] (of the moon or tide) become full.PHRASES: full of oneself very self-satisfied and with an exaggerated sense of self-worth.full on1. running at or providing maximum power or capacity: he had the heater full on.2. so as to make a direct or significant impact: the recession has hit us full on. ∎  (full-on) inf. (of an activity or thing) not diluted in nature or effect: this is full-on ballroom boogie.full out as much or as far as possible; with maximum effort or power: he held his foot to the floor until the car raced full out.full steam (or speed) ahead used to indicate that one should proceed with as much speed or energy as possible.full up filled to capacity. ∎  having eaten or drunk so much that one is replete.in full with nothing omitted: I shall expect your life story in full. ∎  to the full amount due: their relocation costs would be paid in full. ∎  to the utmost; completely: the textbooks have failed to exploit in full the opportunities offered.full² • v. [tr.] [often as n.] (fulling) clean, shrink, and felt (cloth) by heat, pressure, and moisture.DERIVATIVES: full·er n.