different between totally vs fully

English

Etymology

total +? -ly

Pronunciation

• (US, UK) enPR: t?t'?-l?, IPA^(key): /?to?t.?l.i/

Adverb

totally (not comparable)

1. To the fullest extent or degree.

   Synonyms: completely, entirely, fully, wholly

   • c. 1611, William Shakespeare, The Tempest, Act II, Scene 1,^[1]

     Antonio. He misses not much.

     Sebastian. No; he doth but mistake the truth totally.

   • 1789, Olaudah Equiano, The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano, London: for the author, Volume 1, Chapter 2, p. 59,^[2]

     The languages of different nations did not totally differ […] They were therefore easily learned;

   • 1813, Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice, London: T. Egerton, Volume 1, Chapter 6, p. 57,^[3]

     Your conjecture is totally wrong, I assure you.

   • 1969, Chaim Potok, The Promise, New York: Knopf, Chapter 12, p. 226,^[4]

     I trust him totally and without reservation.

2. (degree, colloquial) Very; extremely.

3. (modal, colloquial) Definitely; for sure.

Synonyms

• See also Thesaurus:completely

Translations

English

Etymology

From Middle English fully, fulliche, volliche, from Old English full??e (“fully”), equivalent to full +? -ly. Compare German völlig (“fully”), Swedish fullt (“fully”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /?f?li/
• Rhymes: -?li

Adverb

fully (comparative more fully, superlative most fully)

1. In a full manner; without lack or defect.

2. In a full degree; to a full extent.
3. As a minimum; at least.

Synonyms

• (in a full manner):
• (to a full extent):

Related terms

• fully committed
• fully-stocked
• fully well

Translations