Full Moon: Meaning, Definition & Examples

Meaning 1：fully illuminated moon (Full moon)

Full moon 🔊

/ˈfʊl muːn/

The phase of the moon when it appears as a complete circle, fully illuminated by the sun.

Full moon glowing in starry sky above calm lake at night

fully illuminated moon 🔊

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/ˈfʊli ɪˈluːmɪneɪtɪd muːn/

The full moon is the lunar phase when the moon appears completely illuminated from Earth's perspective, forming a perfect circle.

📁 Category：Natural Geography 🔖 Level：beginner

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

Full (Old English 'full') + moon (Old English 'mona') = complete lunar disc.

💡 Mnemonic

Picture a perfectly round, bright coin in the night sky - that's the full moon.

📖 Example

Last night, we went camping and saw the full moon shining brightly over the lake. 🔊 Last night, we went camping and saw the full moon shining brightly over the lake.

🔗 Collocations

full moon night – a night when the moon is fully illuminated

full moon rising – the moment when the full moon appears over the horizon

full moon ceremony – a ritual or event held during the full moon phase

🔄 Synonyms

harvest moon (n.) – the full moon closest to the autumnal equinox

complete moon (n.) – another term for a fully illuminated moon

full lunar disc (n.) – the circular shape of the moon when fully lit

🚫 Antonyms

new moon (n.) – the phase when the moon is not visible from Earth

crescent moon (n.) – a thin curved shape of the moon

half moon (n.) – the phase when exactly half of the moon is illuminated

📖 Cultural Story

The full moon has been central to timekeeping, agriculture, and mythology since ancient times. Old English 'full mona' dates back to before 900 AD. It marks many cultural festivals.