full-fledged

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   completely developed, established, trained, or qualified

   The volunteer program grew into a full-fledged national organization.

2. 2
   adj

   having grown all the feathers needed for flight

   The full-fledged young birds left the nest by the end of June.

A compound of full + fledged, originally describing a young bird whose flight feathers had completely grown. It broadened figuratively to people and institutions that possess all the qualifications or features of a mature example.

Topics