full time

¹

[ fool tahym ]

noun

1. the number of hours in a period, as a day, week, or month, considered customary for pursuing an activity, especially working at a job: : FT, F/T Compare part time ( def ).

   The factory now operates on full time.

full-time

²

[ fool-tahym ]

adjective

1. working or operating the customary or requisite number of hours in each day, week, or month:

   a full-time housekeeper;

   full-time production.

2. being indefinitely employed by one company for the customary or requisite number of hours: Compare freelance ( def 1 ).

   Only full-time employees are eligible for healthcare.

adverb

1. on a full-time basis; on a schedule corresponding to the customary number of working or operational hours.

full-time

¹

adjective

1. for the entire time appropriate to an activity

   a full-time job

   a full-time student

adverb

1. on a full-time basis

   he works full time

full time

²

noun

1. the end of a football or other match Compare half-time

Derived Forms

• ˌfull-ˈtimer, noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of full time¹

First recorded in 1910–15

Origin of full time²

First recorded in 1895–1900

Example Sentences

According to census figures, 44% of Medicaid recipients worked full time in 2023 and 20% worked part time.

From Los Angeles Times

Although they weren’t enrolled in school at the same time, the brothers connected with Petersen before the British natives left Sydney and again after Petersen moved to the U.K. to pursue acting full time in the 1960s.

From Los Angeles Times

He left the law firm in 1961 to devote himself full time to the travel-book business.

From New York Times

Because farming is uncertain and one bad frost can spell disaster for the season's crops, two-thirds of the women in the study also work full time outside the home.

From Science Daily

He was a staple of Sydney airwaves on local station 2GB for decades, also hosting a commentary show on Sky News Australia before he retired from full time work in 2020 citing health issues.

From BBC