2 syllables: full, est. Stress on full.
FUUL-uhst
/ˈfʊləst/
fullest is pronounced FUUL-uhst (/ˈfʊləst/). It has two syllables (full-est), with the stress on "full". Fullest is the superlative form of the adjective full, meaning containing or reaching the greatest possible amount. It is pronounced with stress on the first syllable and ends with a clear /ɪst/ sound, often blending the final consonants. In practice, it conveys maximum capacity or degree, used in phrases like “the fullest extent.”.
Fullest is the superlative form of the adjective full, meaning containing or reaching the greatest possible amount. It is pronounced with stress on the first syllable and ends with a clear /ɪst/ sound, often blending the final consonants. In practice, it conveys maximum capacity or degree, used in phrases like “the fullest extent.”
"She packed the fullest suitcase she could carry."
"This dessert is the fullest version of chocolate you can get."
"They listened with the fullest attention to the speaker."
Pronounce it as /ˈfʊl.ɪst/. Start with an open, rounded /ɪ/ in the second syllable; the /l/ is light but clear, followed by the final /ɪst/ cluster. Primary stress is on the first syllable: FUL-lest. In careful speech, avoid turning the second vowel into a schwa. Listen for a crisp /l/ and a clean /st/ release, with the /l/ not blending into the following /ɪ/. Note the difference from “fullest” vs “fullest” in rapid contexts where vowel length slightly shortens. Audio reference: [local dictionary audio or Forvo].
Common mistakes include pronouncing the second syllable as a reduced vowel like schwa (/ˈfəl.ɪst/) and misplacing the /l/ or merging /l/ with /ɪ/. Another error is pronouncing /st/ as /s/ without the strong /t/ release. Correct by keeping the first syllable as /ˈfʊl/ with a clear, light /l/; ensure the second syllable uses a short /ɪ/ rather than /iː/ and finish with a crisp /st/. Practice saying FUL + est as two clean chunks, then blend with controlled timing.
In US, UK, and AU, the initial /f/ and /ʊ/ are consistent, but vowel quality on the /ʊ/ can be slightly more centralized in non-rhotic accents. UK English may exhibit a slightly shorter /ʊ/ and crisper /t/ in some speakers. Australian tends to be more centralized and may have a lighter tongue posture, with less pronounced vowel height. Rhoticity isn’t a factor here, since /r/ is not present. Overall, the primary differences are subtle vowel sharpening and the final /t/ release timing. IPA references guide these nuances more precisely in each variety.
The difficulty comes from blending the consonant cluster /l/ + /ɪ/ + /st/ smoothly and the crisp release of /t/ after the short /ɪ/. The second syllable’s vowel must stay short and not reduce too much, while the /l/ remains light and not swallowed. Additionally, many speakers have the tendency to add a slight vowel before /st/ or over-lengthen the /ɪ/; maintaining a tight, rapid transition between /l/ and /ɪ/ is essential. Practice targeting the exact IPA sequence /ˈfʊl.ɪst/.
Yes—stress and syllable separation matter: keep a stable primary stress on the first syllable, with a clearly enunciated /l/ before the clipped /ɪst/. The final cluster /st/ should be released crisply, not softened into /s/. This makes the difference between an indistinct “full-ish-t” and a precise “FUL-lest.” Focus on two-segment timing: a clear /fʊl/ chunk and a tight /ɪst/ ending, then blend. IPA guidance anchors the sound plate in your mouth positioning.
🗣️ Voice search tip: These questions are optimized for voice search. Try asking your voice assistant any of these questions about "fullest"!
Fullest derives from the adjective full, formed in English by adding the superlative suffix -est to indicate the highest degree. The word full itself traces to Old English ful, from Proto-Germanic fula- or ful-, related to Dutch vol and German voll, all carrying the sense of being filled or complete. Over time, fullest emerged as the superlative form to express the maximum extent or degree of the attribute “full.” The sense broadened from literal fullness (physical capacity) to abstract fullness (attention, extent, capacity). The first known uses appear in early Middle English texts, following the standard pattern of adjectives adopting -est for the superlative in the absence of a separate periphrastic construction. By the Early Modern period, fullest was common in both spoken and written English, used across diverse registers to emphasize maximal completeness or saturation.
💡 Etymology tip: Understanding word origins can help you remember pronunciation patterns and recognize related words in the same language family.
Help others use "fullest" correctly by contributing grammar tips, common mistakes, and context guidance.
💡 These words have similar meanings to "fullest" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "fullest" and show contrast in usage.
📚 Vocabulary tip: Learning synonyms and antonyms helps you understand nuanced differences in meaning and improves your word choice in speaking and writing.
Words that rhyme with "fullest"
-est sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
🎵 Rhyme tip: Practicing with rhyming words helps you master similar sound patterns and improves your overall pronunciation accuracy.
