Phrase guide

full speed ahead

adj · adv · intj · noun · 5 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

adj

Meaning 1

Unhesitant.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic, not-comparable

Examples

  • The company's full speed ahead approach to product development would ultimately be its downfall.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

adv

Meaning 2

With maximum effort, without reservations or delay.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic, not-comparable

Examples

  • He charged full speed ahead into his studies.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

intj

Meaning 3

A command to move forward at maximum speed.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: usually

Topics: nautical, transport

Examples

  • Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead!

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

4

noun

Meaning 4

Maximum speed on a ship.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: uncountable, usually

Topics: nautical, transport

Examples

  • Then he gave it full speed ahead, and shot us into the inlet.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

5

noun

Meaning 5

Maximum effort without reservations or delay.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: idiomatic, uncountable

Examples

  • We got the OK on the conversion project. It's full speed ahead.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

25 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Chinese Mandarin: 全速前進 /全速前进 (quánsù qiánjìn) — nautical
  • French: en avant toute — nautical
  • Hebrew: מָלֵא קָדִימָה — nautical
  • Hebrew: קָדִימָה מָלֵא — nautical
  • Italian: avanti tutta — nautical
  • Italian: a tutto vapore — nautical
  • Japanese: 全速前進 (zensoku zenshin) — nautical
  • Korean: 전속 전진 (jeonsok jeonjin) — nautical
  • Polish: pełną parą — nautical
  • Polish: całą parą — nautical
  • Polish: cała naprzód — nautical
  • Portuguese: a todo vapor — nautical
  • Spanish: a toda máquina — nautical
  • Swedish: full fart framåt — nautical
  • French: pleins gaz — idiom, maximum effort
  • French: à toute vitesse — idiom, maximum effort
  • Hebrew: בִּמְלוֹא הַקִיטוֹר (bimlo hakitor) — idiom, maximum effort
  • Italian: avanti tutta — idiom, maximum effort
  • Italian: a capofitto — idiom, maximum effort
  • Polish: pełną parą — idiom, maximum effort
  • Polish: całą parą — idiom, maximum effort
  • Polish: cała naprzód — idiom, maximum effort
  • Portuguese: a todo vapor — idiom, maximum effort
  • Spanish: a toda máquina — idiom, maximum effort
  • Swedish: full fart framåt — idiom, maximum effort