Full vs. Partial: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
Full implies completeness, while partial indicates only a portion or some part of the whole.
Key Differences
The term 'Full' suggests that something is complete, lacking nothing, or containing all that is necessary or possible. It represents the idea of totality, wherein no additional elements are needed or expected. Conversely, 'Partial' denotes that something is not complete, with some elements or segments missing. It implies that what is present is only a part of the whole, not the entirety.
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Nov 08, 2023
'Full' often connotes a sense of wholeness or completion in various contexts, such as a full bottle, where the implication is that no more liquid can be added. 'Partial,' on the other hand, indicates that there is space for more, that what is currently there is only a fraction of the capacity, like a partial filling of a glass where more liquid can still be poured in.
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Nov 08, 2023
In usage, 'Full' can refer to a complete extent or degree, like full satisfaction, where the experience leaves nothing more to be desired. 'Partial,' in contrast, could describe a situation where satisfaction is incomplete, indicating that the experience was adequate but did not fully meet expectations or potential, such as partial relief from pain.
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Nov 08, 2023
When 'Full' is used, it also may suggest an entire duration or period, such as in a full year, meaning that all twelve months are accounted for. 'Partial' could be used to describe a timeframe that does not cover the whole period, like a partial year, possibly referring to just a few months of that year.
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Nov 08, 2023
In terms of commitment or bias, 'Full' implies a total commitment or a completely unbiased viewpoint. 'Partial', however, often suggests a bias or preference, as in a judge being partial to one side in a trial, meaning they show undue favor towards that side and not the complete impartiality that is required.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 08, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Completion
Entire, with no parts left out
Not entire, with some parts omitted
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Nov 08, 2023
Extent or Degree
Completely, without lacking
Not completely, somewhat lacking
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Nov 08, 2023
Bias or Preference
Without bias, fully neutral
With bias, showing preference
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Nov 08, 2023
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Full and Partial Definitions
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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.
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Oct 19, 2023
Partial
Favoring one person or side over another or others; biased or prejudiced
A decision that was partial to the plaintiff.
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Oct 19, 2023
Partial
Having a particular liking or fondness for something or someone
Partial to spicy food.
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Oct 19, 2023
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.
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Oct 19, 2023
Full
Having a base runner at first, second, and third base
The bases were full when the slugger stepped up to bat.
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Oct 19, 2023
Partial
Existing as a part or portion; incomplete
So far, I have only pieced together a partial account of the incident.
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Oct 19, 2023
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.
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Oct 19, 2023
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.
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Oct 19, 2023
Partial
(followed by the preposition to) having a predilection for something
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Oct 19, 2023
Partial
(mathematics) of or relating to a partial derivative or partial differential
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Oct 19, 2023
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.
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Oct 19, 2023
Full
Having an appetite completely satisfied, especially for food or drink
Was full after the Thanksgiving dinner.
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Oct 19, 2023
Partial
(music) Any of the sine waves which make up a complex tone; often an overtone or harmonic of the fundamental.
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Oct 19, 2023
Full
Completely absorbed or preoccupied
“He was already pretty full of himself” (Ron Rosenbaum).
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Oct 19, 2023
Partial
(bodybuilding) The condition of not exhausting the amplitude during the repetition of an exercise.
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Oct 19, 2023
Partial
Of, pertaining to, or affecting, a part only; not general or universal; not total or entire; as, a partial eclipse of the moon.
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Oct 19, 2023
Full
To a complete extent; entirely. Sometimes used in combination
Knew full well.
Full blown.
Full-fledged.
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Oct 19, 2023
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.
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Oct 19, 2023
Partial
Having a predilection for; inclined to favor unreasonably; foolishly fond.
Not partial to an ostentatious display.
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Oct 19, 2023
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.
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Oct 19, 2023
Full
To increase the density and usually the thickness of (cloth) by shrinking and beating or pressing.
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Oct 19, 2023
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
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Oct 19, 2023
Partial
A harmonic with a frequency that is a multiple of the fundamental frequency
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Oct 19, 2023
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
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Oct 19, 2023
Full
Containing the maximum possible amount that can fit in the space available.
The jugs were full to the point of overflowing.
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Oct 19, 2023
Partial
(followed by `of' or `to') having a strong preference or liking for;
Fond of chocolate
Partial to horror movies
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Oct 19, 2023
Full
Complete; with nothing omitted.
Our book gives full treatment to the subject of angling.
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Oct 19, 2023
Partial
Not complete or whole
He has only a partial understanding of the subject.
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Nov 08, 2023
Full
Total, entire.
She had tattoos the full length of her arms.
He was prosecuted to the full extent of the law.
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Oct 19, 2023
Full
Completely empowered, authorized or qualified (in some role); not limited.
Full member
Full officer
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Oct 19, 2023
Full
(informal) Having eaten to satisfaction, having a "full" stomach; replete.
"I'm full," he said, pushing back from the table.
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Oct 19, 2023
Full
Replete, abounding with.
This movie doesn't make sense; it's full of plot holes.
I prefer my pizzas full of toppings.
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Oct 19, 2023
Full
(of physical features) Plump, round.
Full lips; a full face; a full figure
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Oct 19, 2023
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.
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Oct 19, 2023
Full
(obsolete) Having the mind filled with ideas; stocked with knowledge; stored with information.
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Oct 19, 2023
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.
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Oct 19, 2023
Full
(archaic) Fully; quite; very; thoroughly; completely; exactly; entirely.
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Oct 19, 2023
Full
Utmost measure or extent; highest state or degree; the state, position, or moment of fullness; fill.
I was fed to the full.
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Oct 19, 2023
Full
(of the moon) The phase of the moon when its entire face is illuminated, full moon.
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Oct 19, 2023
Full
(freestyle skiing) An aerialist maneuver consisting of a backflip in conjunction and simultaneous with a complete twist.
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Oct 19, 2023
Full
To make cloth denser and firmer by soaking, beating and pressing; to waulk or walk.
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Oct 19, 2023
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.
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Oct 19, 2023
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.
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Oct 19, 2023
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.
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Oct 19, 2023
Full
Having the mind filled with ideas; stocked with knowledge; stored with information.
Reading maketh a full man.
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Oct 19, 2023
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.
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Oct 19, 2023
Full
Complete measure; utmost extent; the highest state or degree.
The swan's-down feather,That stands upon the swell at full of tide.
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Oct 19, 2023
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.
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Oct 19, 2023
Full
To thicken by moistening, heating, and pressing, as cloth; to mill; to make compact; to scour, cleanse, and thicken in a mill.
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Oct 19, 2023
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
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Oct 19, 2023
Full
Constituting the full quantity or extent; complete;
An entire town devastated by an earthquake
Gave full attention
A total failure
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Oct 19, 2023
Full
Complete in extent or degree and in every particular;
A full game
A total eclipse
A total disaster
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Oct 19, 2023
Full
Having the normally expected amount;
Gives full measure
Gives good measure
A good mile from here
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Oct 19, 2023
Full
Not separated into parts or shares; constituting an undivided unit;
An undivided interest in the property
A full share
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Oct 19, 2023
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
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Oct 19, 2023
Repeatedly Asked Queries
Can 'full' refer to abstract concepts?
Yes, it can signify complete extent or maximum degree in abstract terms.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 08, 2023
What does 'partial' indicate?
'Partial' refers to something that is not complete, or only a fraction of the whole.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 08, 2023
Does 'partial' suggest bias?
Yes, it can imply bias or a lack of neutrality.
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Nov 08, 2023
Can 'full' refer to a full plate of food?
Yes, it means the plate has no room for more food.
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Nov 08, 2023
Is 'partial' always negative?
No, it's not inherently negative, it simply denotes incompleteness.
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Nov 08, 2023
What is a 'full' refund?
It's a refund where the entire amount is returned.
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Nov 08, 2023
What's a 'partial' eclipse?
It's an eclipse where only a part of the celestial body is obscured.
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Nov 08, 2023
Can 'partial' be used in describing work?
Yes, as in partial completion of a task.
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Nov 08, 2023
Does 'full' apply to digital storage?
Yes, it means no additional data can be stored.
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Nov 08, 2023
Is 'partial' attention possible?
Yes, it means the focus is divided or incomplete.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 08, 2023
What does 'partial refund' mean?
It means only part of the amount is returned.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 08, 2023
What's a 'full' day?
A day with activities or work for the entire duration.
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Nov 08, 2023
Can 'partial' refer to partial credit?
Yes, it means not all points were awarded.
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Nov 08, 2023
Can 'full' relate to attention?
Yes, 'full attention' means undivided focus.
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Nov 08, 2023
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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