WordGarden.iofullness
B2Pronunciation
UK
- /fˈʊlnəs/
US
- /ˈfʊlnəs/
Meanings
Noun
the state of being filled or having a complete amount
a bodily feeling of being full, especially after eating
richness or depth in a sound, flavor, color, or style
More meaningsFewer meanings
a satisfying sense of emotional or personal completeness
Beyond the definition
Fullness is the state of being full, complete, rich, or deeply satisfying. You can use it for a physical feeling after a meal, for the rich taste of food, or for the sense that a life, moment, or relationship has depth and meaning. It often suggests not just "enough," but a pleasing sense of plenty.
The word "fullness" describes the state of being full in body, feeling, sound, taste, or meaning. It can be very literal, such as the fullness you feel after a large meal or the fullness of a container filled to the top. In these cases, it simply means that something has reached a full state.
But the word is often used in a broader and more expressive way. It can suggest richness, depth, and abundance. You might speak of the fullness of a ripe peach's flavor, the fullness of a singer's voice, or the fullness of a garden in summer. In each case, the idea is not only that something is full, but that it feels rich and complete.
It also has an emotional or spiritual side. People may talk about the fullness of life, the fullness of joy, or the fullness of time shared with others. Here, the word points to a deep sense of completeness or contentment, as if nothing important is missing.
In narrative or poetic writing, fullness is useful because it can carry both simple and deep meanings at once. It may describe a physical condition, a rich quality, or a sense of whole-hearted living. Overall, it suggests completeness, plenty, and a satisfying sense of richness.
Examples
- 1
After eating
After lunch, I sat quietly for a minute, enjoying the comfortable fullness in my stomach.
- 2
Ear symptom
He made an appointment because the fullness in his ear had not gone away for days.
- 3
Hair styling
The stylist cut her hair in layers to give it more fullness.
- 4
Taste
The soup was simple, but it had a real fullness of flavor.
- Phrasefullness of flavor
a rich, complete taste
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Life satisfaction
After years of working nonstop, she realized her life lacked a sense of fullness.
- Phrasea sense of fullness
a feeling that life is rich and complete
See also
Similar
- abundance
- completeness
- plenitude
Shades of meaning
- richness
- satiety
- repletion
Contrast
Used with (collocations)
- feeling of fullness
- fullness of flavor
- fullness of sound
- in the fullness of time
Word family
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Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- fullnessnoun