1
a
: fully mature
b
: being at the height of bloom
2
: possessing or exhibiting all the usual or necessary features or symptoms
a general philosophy, if not a full-blown ideology, is emergingW. H. Jones
developed full-blown AIDS

Examples of full-blown in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web But the companies say their transition to a full-blown, Uber-like taxi service will take time. WIRED, 11 Aug. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'full-blown.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

full entry 2 + blown, past participle of blow entry 3

First Known Use

1576, in the meaning defined at sense 1b

Time Traveler
The first known use of full-blown was in 1576

Dictionary Entries Near full-blown

Cite this Entry

“Full-blown.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/full-blown. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

full-blown

adjective
-ˈblōn
1
: fully mature or developed
a full-blown theory
2
: being at the height of bloom

Medical Definition

full-blown

adjective
: fully developed : being in its most extreme or serious form : possessing or exhibiting the characteristic symptoms
a full-blown cold
full-blown hypertension
a collection of symptoms that isn't quite full-blown AIDSJ. Silberner
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