full-blown
/'ful'bloun/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Adjective: 1. Having or displaying all the characteristics necessary for completeness; fully developed or realized. This describes something that has reached its most advanced, severe, or typical state, leaving no doubt about its nature. 2. Fully ripe; at the height of bloom. This describes a flower, especially a rose, that has opened completely.
Usage and Examples
The adjective "full-blown" is used attributively (before a noun) to emphasize that a condition, state, or phenomenon is complete, severe, and unmistakable.
- Example 1 (Complete Development):
- The investigation has escalated from a minor inquiry into a full-blown scandal.
- What started as a disagreement turned into a full-blown argument.
- Example 2 (Medical/Severe Condition):
- He was diagnosed with a full-blown case of pneumonia.
- The patient is showing symptoms of full-blown AIDS.
- Example 3 (Natural World - Literal):
- The garden was filled with the scent of full-blown roses.
Advanced Usage
- "Full-blown" vs. "Partial" or "Incipient": The term is often used in contrast to earlier, less developed stages. For example, an rebellion is one just beginning, while a rebellion is one that is fully active and widespread.
- Contextual Nuance: It often carries a connotation of something negative (like a crisis or disease) reaching its most serious phase, but it can be used neutrally (e.g., a full-blown investigation) or positively (e.g., a full-blown rose).
Variants and Related Words
- Full-scale (adj.): Of the same size or scope as the original; not limited. Often used interchangeably with "full-blown" for events or actions (e.g., a full-scale war).
- Full-fledged (adj.): Having complete status or qualifications. Often used for people or memberships (e.g., a full-fledged member) but can overlap with "full-blown" for developed states.
- Full-grown (adj.): Having reached full size or maturity. Used primarily for living things.
Synonyms
- Developed
- Full-scale
- Full-fledged
- Full-on
- Mature
- Ripe
- Unmitigated
Antonyms
- Incipient
- Nascent
- Partial
- Rudimentary
- Underdeveloped
Related Idioms and Phrases
- In full bloom: Primarily used for flowers, meaning completely open. It is the direct literal equivalent for the second definition of "full-blown."
- The cherry trees are in full bloom.
- To blow up into (something): A phrasal verb describing how a small problem can develop into a "full-blown" crisis.
- A small misunderstanding blew up into a major conflict.
Adjective
- having or displaying all the characteristics necessary for completeness
- a full-blown financial crisis
- fully ripe; at the height of bloom
- a full-blown rose