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full-fledged

full-fledged

1 5.5
A bird with fully grown feathers that is ready to fly
  • adjective
  • /fʊlˈflɛdʒd/
translation icon : completamente emplumado
  • A return to full-fledged national populism is neither likely nor desirable.

Examples

  • After weeks of practice, the young bird finally became full-fledged and took its first flight.

  • In reality, however, Taylor's appointment to the Holy See only empowered him to carry out a humanitarian mission, rather than a full-fledged diplomatic one.

    Academic text (1996)
  • This will probably mean something that is more than autonomy but less than a full-fledged state.

    Academic text (1996)
  • Yes, last night we were in a full-fledged snowstorm... crazy!

    Blog text (31)
  • The Red Army was not, however, to march in a preventive strike, but to carry out a full-fledged assault to the west.

    Academic text (1996)
  • The baby eagle grew strong and full-fledged, soaring above the treetops like its parents.

  • As spring arrived, the chicks grew into full-fledged adults, ready to leave the nest.

Synonyms

mature
vsfull-fledged
64 3.4

Fully developed and ready to eat or use

applies specifically to birds reaching adult feather development and flight readiness
full-blown
vsfull-fledged
43 4.6

Occurs at the most serious or complete stage

is specifically about adult feather completion and readiness to fly rather than intensity
full-grown
vsfull-fledged
15 2.2

An animal, plant, or person that has reached full adult size

focuses narrowly on adult feather completion and flight readiness rather than general size
fully grown
vsfull-fledged
11 1.8

An animal, person, or plant at full adult size

is specific to adult feather development and being ready to fly rather than size alone
fledged
vsfull-fledged
  • Specialized
1 5.3

Birds that have grown the feathers they need can fly

emphasizes the complete adult feather set and readiness rather than the verb stage
fully fledged
vsfull-fledged
4.8

Having all the feathers and strength needed to fly away from the nest

is the same meaning but written as a hyphenated single word
fledgeling
vsfull-fledged
  • UK
5.5

Having feathers for flying and still young

describes a later, fully mature feather stage rather than the initial flying stage
fledgling
vsfull-fledged
6.1

Describes a young bird that has just learned to fly

indicates a more fully complete adult feather condition than the just-ready stage
in full feather
vsfull-fledged
  • Archaic
9.2

Wearing bright feathers or the best clothes and looking proud

focuses specifically on full adult feather development and flight readiness rather than appearance

Antonyms

15 3.0

Not fully grown, like a young plant or animal

3 4.2

Ideas or skills not fully formed and needing more work

How Developed

full-fledged
1 5.5
fledged
  • Specialized
1 5.3
unfledged
9.9

Surface Forms

full-fledged positive

Morphology

full-fledged = full + fledge (transparent) = full + fledge

Literal combination of 'full' + 'fledged' meaning having completed feather development; the composition is clear for learners who know the base words.

Etymology

Full-fledged originally described birds with full feathers. The fledged part means 'feathered' or 'ready to fly', so a full-fledged bird has the grown feathers it needs to leave the nest.