Full vs. Partial — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Fiza Rafique — Updated on May 7, 2024
Full means something is complete or whole, leaving no part missing. Partial, in contrast, signifies that something is not whole and is only a portion or fraction of the total. Both terms describe the extent or completeness of an object or concept.
Difference Between Full and Partial
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Full refers to an entire, complete state where nothing is lacking, like a full glass containing liquid up to its brim. Partial, on the other hand, means only a portion is present, like a partially filled glass.
Full often denotes satisfaction, like being "full" after a meal. Partial, however, suggests incompleteness, such as partial information, meaning some details are missing.
Full generally applies to something that has reached its maximum capacity or potential, whereas partial applies when only a segment or limited capacity is utilized.
Full commitment involves total dedication to a cause, while partial commitment indicates only some level of dedication.
Full and partial can also refer to legal or financial matters. Full payment means paying the total owed, while partial payment covers only a portion of the debt.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Complete, entire, whole
Incomplete, portion, segment
Application
Maximum capacity, full potential
Only a portion, limited scope
Connotation
Positive (satisfaction, completeness)
Neutral or negative (incomplete, lacking)
Examples
Full commitment, full glass, full payment
Partial commitment, partial glass, partial refund
Usage Context
Eating, finance, dedication, information
Dedication, finance, information, repairs
Compare with Definitions
Full
Entire or whole, with nothing lacking.
The meeting room was full, so there were no seats available.
Partial
Favoring one side or view over another.
The judge was accused of being partial in his decision.
Full
Having reached maximum capacity or contentment.
After a hearty meal, he felt pleasantly full.
Partial
Only a section or portion of the whole.
The partial information given was not enough to make a decision.
Full
Completely involved or engaged in an activity.
His full participation made the event more exciting.
Partial
An interim or stopgap measure.
They received a partial refund while the full amount was processed.
Full
At the highest capacity or potential.
She gave the project her full attention to ensure success.
Partial
Lacking in some part or aspect.
The job was only partially completed due to time constraints.
Full
Having met the entire financial obligation.
They made full payment for the services rendered.
Partial
Not at maximum capacity or potential.
The customer made a partial payment to cover part of the bill.
Full
Containing or holding as much or as many as possible; having no empty space
Waste bins full of rubbish
The hotel is full up
She could only nod, for her mouth was full
Partial
Of, relating to, being, or affecting only a part; not total; incomplete
The plan calls for partial deployment of missiles. The police have only a partial description of the suspect.
Full
Not lacking or omitting anything; complete
A full range of sports facilities
Partial
Favoring one person or side over another or others; biased or prejudiced
A decision that was partial to the plaintiff.
Full
(of a person's figure or part of the body) plump or rounded
The fuller figure
She had full lips
Partial
Having a particular liking or fondness for something or someone
Partial to spicy food.
Full
Straight; directly
She turned her head and looked full into his face
Partial
(Mathematics) Of or being operations or sequences of operations, such as differentiation and integration, when applied to only one of several variables at a time.
Full
Very
He knew full well she was too polite to barge in
Partial
(Music) See harmonic.
Full
The period, point, or state of the greatest fullness or strength.
Partial
(Mathematics) A partial derivative.
Full
Make (something) full; fill up
He full up the house with bawling
Partial
Existing as a part or portion; incomplete
So far, I have only pieced together a partial account of the incident.
Full
Gather or pleat (fabric) so as to make a garment full
A straight piece fulled into a small band at the top
Partial
(computer science) describing a property that holds only when an algorithm terminates
It's easy to prove partial correctness, but it's not obvious that it is also totally correct.
Full
(of the moon or tide) become full
Fulling moon aloft doth ride
Partial
Biased in favor of a person, side, or point of view, especially when dealing with a competition or dispute
The referee is blatantly partial!
God is not partial; he does not play favorites.
Full
Clean, shrink, and felt (cloth) by heat, pressure, and moisture
Weaving and fulling were all formerly part of the normal domestic scene
Partial
(followed by the preposition to) having a predilection for something
Full
Containing all that is normal or possible
A full pail.
Partial
(mathematics) of or relating to a partial derivative or partial differential
Full
Complete in every particular
A full account.
Partial
(botany) subordinate
Full
Amounting to three balls and two strikes. Used of a count.
Partial
(mathematics) A partial derivative: a derivative with respect to one independent variable of a function in multiple variables while holding the other variables constant.
Full
Having a base runner at first, second, and third base
The bases were full when the slugger stepped up to bat.
Partial
(music) Any of the sine waves which make up a complex tone; often an overtone or harmonic of the fundamental.
Full
Of maximum or highest degree
At full speed.
Partial
(dentistry) dentures that replace only some of the natural teeth
Full
Being at the peak of development or maturity
In full bloom.
Partial
(forensics) An incomplete fingerprint
Full
Of or relating to a full moon.
Partial
A fragment of a template containing markup.
Full
Having a great deal or many
A book full of errors.
Partial
(bodybuilding) The condition of not exhausting the amplitude during the repetition of an exercise.
Full
Totally qualified, accepted, or empowered
A full member of the club.
Partial
To take the partial regression coefficient.
Full
Rounded in shape; plump
A full figure.
Partial
Of, pertaining to, or affecting, a part only; not general or universal; not total or entire; as, a partial eclipse of the moon.
Full
Having or made with a generous amount of fabric
Full draperies.
Partial
Inclined to favor one party in a cause, or one side of a question, more then the other; biased; not indifferent; as, a judge should not be partial.
Ye have been partial in the law.
Full
Having an appetite completely satisfied, especially for food or drink
Was full after the Thanksgiving dinner.
Partial
Having a predilection for; inclined to favor unreasonably; foolishly fond.
Not partial to an ostentatious display.
Full
Providing an abundance, especially of food.
Partial
Pertaining to a subordinate portion; as, a compound umbel is made up of a several partial umbels; a leaflet is often supported by a partial petiole.
Full
Having depth and body; rich
A full aroma.
Full tones.
Partial
The derivative of a function of two or more variables with respect to a single variable while the other variables are considered to be constant
Full
Completely absorbed or preoccupied
“He was already pretty full of himself” (Ron Rosenbaum).
Partial
A harmonic with a frequency that is a multiple of the fundamental frequency
Full
Possessing both parents in common
Full brothers.
Full sisters.
Partial
Being or affecting only a part; not total;
A partial description of the suspect
Partial collapse
A partial eclipse
A partial monopoly
Partial immunity
Full
Of or relating to a full-size bed
Full sheets.
A full bed skirt.
Partial
Showing favoritism
Full
Exactly; directly
Full in the path of the moon.
Partial
(followed by `of' or `to') having a strong preference or liking for;
Fond of chocolate
Partial to horror movies
Full
To a complete extent; entirely. Sometimes used in combination
Knew full well.
Full blown.
Full-fledged.
Full
To make (a garment) full, as by pleating or gathering.
Full
To become full. Used of the moon.
Full
To increase the density and usually the thickness of (cloth) by shrinking and beating or pressing.
Full
The maximum or complete size or amount
Repaid in full.
Full
The highest degree or state
Living life to the full.
Full
A full-size bed.
Full
Containing the maximum possible amount that can fit in the space available.
The jugs were full to the point of overflowing.
Full
Complete; with nothing omitted.
Our book gives full treatment to the subject of angling.
Full
Total, entire.
She had tattoos the full length of her arms.
He was prosecuted to the full extent of the law.
Full
Completely empowered, authorized or qualified (in some role); not limited.
Full member
Full officer
Full
(informal) Having eaten to satisfaction, having a "full" stomach; replete.
"I'm full," he said, pushing back from the table.
Full
Replete, abounding with.
This movie doesn't make sense; it's full of plot holes.
I prefer my pizzas full of toppings.
Full
(of physical features) Plump, round.
Full lips; a full face; a full figure
Full
(of the moon) Having its entire face illuminated.
Full
(of garments) Of a size that is ample, wide, or having ample folds or pleats to be comfortable.
A full pleated skirt;
She needed her full clothing during her pregnancy.
Full
Having depth and body; rich.
A full singing voice
Full
(obsolete) Having the mind filled with ideas; stocked with knowledge; stored with information.
Full
Having the attention, thoughts, etc., absorbed in any matter, and the feelings more or less excited by it.
She's full of her latest project.
Full
Filled with emotions.
Full
(obsolete) Impregnated; made pregnant.
Full
Said of the three cards of the same rank in a full house.
Full
Drunk, intoxicated.
Full
(archaic) Fully; quite; very; thoroughly; completely; exactly; entirely.
Full
Utmost measure or extent; highest state or degree; the state, position, or moment of fullness; fill.
I was fed to the full.
Full
(of the moon) The phase of the moon when its entire face is illuminated, full moon.
Full
(freestyle skiing) An aerialist maneuver consisting of a backflip in conjunction and simultaneous with a complete twist.
Full
(of the moon) To become full or wholly illuminated.
Full
(transitive) To baptise.
Full
To make cloth denser and firmer by soaking, beating and pressing; to waulk or walk.
Full
Filled up, having within its limits all that it can contain; supplied; not empty or vacant; - said primarily of hollow vessels, and hence of anything else; as, a cup full of water; a house full of people.
Had the throne been full, their meeting would not have been regular.
Full
Abundantly furnished or provided; sufficient in quantity, quality, or degree; copious; plenteous; ample; adequate; as, a full meal; a full supply; a full voice; a full compensation; a house full of furniture.
Full
Not wanting in any essential quality; complete; entire; perfect; adequate; as, a full narrative; a person of full age; a full stop; a full face; the full moon.
It came to pass, at the end of two full years, that Pharaohdreamed.
The man commandsLike a full soldier.
I can notRequest a fuller satisfactionThan you have freely granted.
Full
Sated; surfeited.
I am full of the burnt offerings of rams.
Full
Having the mind filled with ideas; stocked with knowledge; stored with information.
Reading maketh a full man.
Full
Having the attention, thoughts, etc., absorbed in any matter, and the feelings more or less excited by it, as, to be full of some project.
Every one is full of the miracles done by cold baths on decayed and weak constitutions.
Full
Filled with emotions.
The heart is so full that a drop overfills it.
Full
Impregnated; made pregnant.
Ilia, the fair, . . . full of Mars.
Full
Complete measure; utmost extent; the highest state or degree.
The swan's-down feather,That stands upon the swell at full of tide.
Full
Quite; to the same degree; without abatement or diminution; with the whole force or effect; thoroughly; completely; exactly; entirely.
The pawn I proffer shall be full as good.
The diapason closing full in man.
Full in the center of the sacred wood.
Full
To become full or wholly illuminated; as, the moon fulls at midnight.
Full
To thicken by moistening, heating, and pressing, as cloth; to mill; to make compact; to scour, cleanse, and thicken in a mill.
Full
To become fulled or thickened; as, this material fulls well.
Full
Beat for the purpose of cleaning and thickening;
Full the cloth
Full
Make (a garment) fuller by pleating or gathering
Full
Increase in phase;
The moon is waxing
Full
Containing as much or as many as is possible or normal;
A full glass
A sky full of stars
A full life
The auditorium was full to overflowing
Full
Constituting the full quantity or extent; complete;
An entire town devastated by an earthquake
Gave full attention
A total failure
Full
Complete in extent or degree and in every particular;
A full game
A total eclipse
A total disaster
Full
Filled to satisfaction with food or drink;
A full stomach
Full
(of sound) having marked depth and body;
Full tones
A full voice
Full
Having the normally expected amount;
Gives full measure
Gives good measure
A good mile from here
Full
Being at a peak or culminating point;
Broad day
Full summer
High noon
Full
Not separated into parts or shares; constituting an undivided unit;
An undivided interest in the property
A full share
Full
Having ample fabric;
The current taste for wide trousers
A full skirt
Full
To the greatest degree or extent; completely or entirely; (`full' in this sense is used as a combining form);
Fully grown
He didn't fully understand
Knew full well
Full-grown
Full-fledged
Common Curiosities
Is partial credit the same as full credit?
No, partial credit is a fraction of the total possible, often given for incomplete answers.
Does a full refund include fees and charges?
Yes, a full refund typically covers all costs, fees, and charges.
Does full usually indicate satisfaction?
Yes, like being "full" after eating or feeling satisfied with a situation.
What does it mean to have full access to something?
It means having complete and unrestricted access to all features or areas.
Can a job be considered full-time or partial?
Yes, a job is full-time if it meets a standard number of weekly hours, otherwise it's part-time.
Is partial commitment different from full commitment?
Yes, partial commitment involves only limited dedication or involvement.
Can partial payment be used to settle debt?
Partial payment reduces debt but doesn't fully satisfy the obligation.
Is it common to have partial ownership of property?
Yes, shared or fractional ownership often leads to partial property stakes.
Can partial information affect decision-making?
Yes, decisions made with incomplete data may lead to inaccurate outcomes.
Is partial knowledge dangerous?
It can be if crucial information is missing and leads to incorrect conclusions.
Does full coverage insurance offer complete protection?
It usually covers most common risks but may not cover everything.
Is full capacity the maximum that can be held?
Yes, full capacity indicates the highest amount that can be held or utilized.
Are full and partial repairs different?
Yes, full repairs fix all problems, while partial repairs address only some issues.
Does a full list include every item?
Yes, a full list is comprehensive and contains all relevant items.
What does a partial refund imply?
It implies that only part of the original amount has been returned.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
