full-time
Working or operating for the whole of the usual working day or week.
Full-time means dedicating your entire working day to one main activity.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Refers to a standard 40-hour work week.
- Describes a primary commitment to a job or study.
- Distinguishes full-time from part-time or casual work.
Summary
Full-time means dedicating your entire working day to one main activity.
- Refers to a standard 40-hour work week.
- Describes a primary commitment to a job or study.
- Distinguishes full-time from part-time or casual work.
Use full-time before a noun
Always place 'full-time' before nouns to describe the type of job. For example, say 'a full-time position' rather than 'a position full-time'.
Don't forget the hyphen
When used as an adjective before a noun, always use the hyphen. If used as an adverb after the verb, the hyphen is often omitted.
Full-time culture in the West
In many Western cultures, full-time employment is the standard for accessing health insurance and other benefits. It is often seen as a sign of professional stability.
Examples
4 of 4Eu consegui um emprego full-time na empresa.
I got a full-time job at the company.
O contrato exige dedicação full-time.
The contract requires full-time dedication.
Ela é uma mãe full-time agora.
She is a full-time mom now.
O curso exige que você seja um aluno full-time.
The course requires you to be a full-time student.
Word Family
Memory Tip
Think of a clock being completely filled: 'Full' + 'Time'. If the clock is full, your schedule is full-time.
Overview
'Full-time' é um termo essencial no mundo corporativo e acadêmico, indicando que uma pessoa dedica a totalidade do seu tempo disponível para uma atividade específica. Geralmente, em países de língua inglesa, isso corresponde a uma carga horária de 35 a 40 horas semanais. 2) Usage Patterns: Pode ser usado como adjetivo (ex: 'a full-time job') ou como advérbio (ex: 'to work full-time'). É uma distinção fundamental para diferenciar trabalhadores que possuem benefícios integrais daqueles que trabalham apenas por períodos parciais. 3) Common Contexts: É amplamente utilizado em contratos de trabalho, anúncios de emprego, matrículas universitárias e discussões sobre estilo de vida. Quando alguém diz que é um 'full-time student', significa que a dedicação aos estudos é sua atividade principal, sem concorrência com um emprego formal. 4) Similar Words Comparison: Diferente de 'part-time', que indica uma jornada reduzida, 'full-time' sugere compromisso total. Não deve ser confundido com 'overtime', que se refere especificamente às horas extras trabalhadas além do período integral.
Usage Notes
Use 'full-time' as an adjective before nouns or as an adverb after verbs. It is a neutral term widely accepted in both professional and casual settings. Ensure you use the hyphen when it precedes the noun it modifies.
Common Mistakes
Many learners forget the hyphen when writing it as an adjective. Another mistake is using it as a noun (e.g., 'I have a full-time') instead of 'a full-time job'. Always pair it with the activity being performed.
Memory Tip
Think of a clock being completely filled: 'Full' + 'Time'. If the clock is full, your schedule is full-time.
Word Origin
The term combines 'full' (complete) and 'time' (duration). It emerged in the industrial era to distinguish standard working hours from shift work or casual labor.
Cultural Context
In many countries, 'full-time' status is the threshold for legal protections and benefits. It is the bedrock of the traditional labor market structure.
Examples
Eu consegui um emprego full-time na empresa.
everydayI got a full-time job at the company.
O contrato exige dedicação full-time.
formalThe contract requires full-time dedication.
Ela é uma mãe full-time agora.
informalShe is a full-time mom now.
O curso exige que você seja um aluno full-time.
academicThe course requires you to be a full-time student.
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
Full-time employee
Funcionário de tempo integral
Full-time equivalent
Equivalente de tempo integral
Go full-time
Passar a trabalhar em tempo integral
Often Confused With
Overtime refers to hours worked beyond the standard full-time schedule. It is extra work, not the base schedule itself.
Grammar Patterns
Use full-time before a noun
Always place 'full-time' before nouns to describe the type of job. For example, say 'a full-time position' rather than 'a position full-time'.
Don't forget the hyphen
When used as an adjective before a noun, always use the hyphen. If used as an adverb after the verb, the hyphen is often omitted.
Full-time culture in the West
In many Western cultures, full-time employment is the standard for accessing health insurance and other benefits. It is often seen as a sign of professional stability.
Test Yourself
Complete a frase corretamente.
She decided to study ___ instead of working.
O contexto sugere uma dedicação integral aos estudos.
Score: /1
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questionsFull-time refere-se a uma jornada completa, geralmente de 40 horas, enquanto part-time indica uma jornada reduzida ou de meio período. A escolha depende das necessidades contratuais e da disponibilidade do indivíduo.
Sim, você pode dizer 'I work full-time'. Nesse caso, o termo descreve a forma como a ação de trabalhar é realizada.
Não, o termo também é muito comum no contexto acadêmico, como em 'full-time student', para descrever estudantes que se dedicam integralmente ao curso.
Não existe um número universal, pois depende da legislação de cada país e da política da empresa. Geralmente, varia entre 35 e 44 horas semanais.
This Word in Other Languages
More work words
abdicar
A2To give up, to abdicate; to renounce or relinquish a throne, right, power, or claim.
acessível
B1Available, accessible; easy to approach or use.
acidente de trabalho
A2An unforeseen and undesired event occurring in the course of work, causing injury.
a curto prazo
A2Over a short period of time; short-term.
adaptabilidade
A2The quality of being able to adjust to new conditions.
adaptavelmente
A2Adaptably, in an adaptable manner; with flexibility.
adequado
A2Adequate; satisfactory or acceptable in quality or quantity.
adicional
A2additional; added, extra, or supplementary.
administração
B1Administration; the management of any office, business, or organization.
administrativo
B1Administrative; relating to the running of a business or organization.
