(~er, ~est)
Frequency: The word is one of the 700 most common words in English.
1.
If something is ~, it contains as much of a substance or as many objects as it can.
Once the container is ~, it stays shut until you turn it clockwise.
...a ~ tank of petrol.
? empty
ADJ
2.
If a place or thing is ~ of things or people, it contains a large number of them.
The case was ~ of clothes...
The streets are still ~ of debris from two nights of rioting.
...a useful recipe leaflet ~ of ideas for using the new cream.
= filled
ADJ: v-link ADJ of n
3.
If someone or something is ~ of a particular feeling or quality, they have a lot of it.
I feel ~ of confidence and so open to possibilities...
Mom’s face was ~ of pain.
...an exquisite mousse, incredibly rich and ~ of flavour.
ADJ: v-link ADJ of n
4.
You say that a place or vehicle is ~ when there is no space left in it for any more people or things.
The main car park was ~ when I left about 10.45...
They stay here a few hours before being sent to refugee camps, which are now almost ~...
The bus was completely ~, and lots of people were standing.
ADJ: usu v-link ADJ
5.
If your hands or arms are ~, you are carrying or holding as much as you can carry.
Sylvia entered, her arms ~ of packages...
People would go into the store and come out with their arms ~.
ADJ: v-link ADJ
6.
If you feel ~, 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 ~.
ADJ: v-link ADJ
~ness
High fibre diets give the feeling of ~ness.
N-UNCOUNT
7.
You use ~ 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 ~ name?...
= complete
ADJ: ADJ n
8.
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 ~ volume...
Then abruptly he revved the engine to ~ power.
ADJ: ADJ n
•
Full is also an adverb.
...a two-seater Lotus, parked with its headlamps ~ on.
ADV: ADV adv
9.
You use ~ to emphasize the completeness, intensity, or extent of something.
We should conserve oil and gas by making ~ use of other energy sources...
Television cameras are carrying the ~ horror of this war into homes around the world...
The lane leading to the farm was in ~ view of the house windows...
ADJ: ADJ n emphasis
10.
A ~ statement or report contains a lot of information and detail.
Mr Primakov gave a ~ account of his meeting with the President.
...the enormous detail in this very ~ document.
ADJ: usu ADJ n
11.
If you say that someone has or leads a ~ 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 ~ and interesting life.
ADJ: usu ADJ n approval
12.
You use ~ to emphasize the force or directness with which someone or something is hit or looked at.
She kissed him ~ on the mouth...
ADV: ADV prep emphasis
13.
You use ~ 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 ~ membership?...
ADJ: ADJ n
14.
A ~ flavour is strong and rich.
Italian plum tomatoes have a ~ flavour, and are best for cooking.
ADJ: ADJ n
15.
If you describe a part of someone’s body as ~, you mean that it is rounded and rather large.
The Juno Collection specialises in large sizes for ladies with a ~er figure.
...his strong chin, his ~ lips, his appealing mustache.
ADJ: usu ADJ n
16.
A ~ skirt or sleeve is wide and has been made from a lot of fabric.
My wedding dress has a very ~ skirt.
ADJ: usu ADJ n
~ness
The coat has raglan sleeves, and is cut to give ~ness at the back.
N-UNCOUNT
17.
When there is a ~ moon, the moon appears as a bright, complete circle.
ADJ: usu ADJ n
18.
You say that something has been done or described in ~ when everything that was necessary has been done or described.
The medical experts have yet to report in ~...
= ~y
PHRASE: PHR after v
19.
If you say that a person knows ~ 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 ~ well he’d be ashamed of himself later.
PHRASE: V inflects emphasis
20.
Something that is done or experienced to the ~ is done to as great an extent as is possible.
She probably has a good mind, which should be used to the ~...
PHRASE: PHR after v
21.
to be ~ of beans: see bean
~ blast: see blast
to come ~ circle: see circle
to have your hands ~: see hand
in ~ swing: see swing