fuller

1 of 2

noun (1)

full·​er ˈfu̇-lər How to pronounce fuller (audio)
: one that fulls cloth

fuller

2 of 2

noun (2)

ful·​ler ˈfu̇-lər How to pronounce fuller (audio)
: a blacksmithing hammer for grooving and spreading iron

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English fullere, follare, in part going back to Old English fullere, from Latin fullō "fuller (of cloth), launderer" (of obscure origin) + Old English -ere -er entry 2; in part borrowed from Anglo-French fuller, fullour, from fuller, foler "to full entry 5 (cloth) " + -er, -our -er entry 2

Noun (2)

of uncertain origin

First Known Use

Noun (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1587, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of fuller was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near fuller

Cite this Entry

“Fuller.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fuller. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

Biographical Definition

Fuller 1 of 4

biographical name (1)

Ful·​ler ˈfu̇-lər How to pronounce Fuller (audio)
Melville Weston 1833–1910 American jurist; chief justice U.S. Supreme Court (1888–1910)

Fuller

2 of 4

biographical name (2)

R(ichard) Buckminster 1895–1983 American engineer

Fuller

3 of 4

biographical name (3)

(Sarah) Margaret 1810–1850 Marchioness Ossoli ˈȯ-sə-(ˌ)lē How to pronounce Fuller (audio) American critic and reformer

Fuller

4 of 4

biographical name (4)

Thomas 1608–1661 English divine and author

More from Merriam-Webster on fuller

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!