fullyfledged

Fully fledged is an adjective used to describe something that has all required features, components, or stages, meaning it is fully developed or established. The term originates in ornithology, where a fledged bird has grown its flight feathers and can fly; metaphorically, the phrase has come to denote maturity, capability, or completeness in non-bird contexts.

In general use, fully fledged describes people, organizations, systems, or nations that operate at full capacity or standards. It is common in phrases such as a fully fledged member, a fully fledged democracy, or a fully fledged airline. The sense implies readiness and independence, often contrasting with earlier or developing stages.

Spelling and usage notes vary by style and region. Common variants include fully fledged (two words) and fully-fledged (hyphenated). The choice of form is influenced by house style and national variety, with some guides preferring hyphenation and others favoring the unhyphenated pair. In all cases, the meaning remains the same: complete, mature, and fully functional.

Related terms include fully developed, fully matured, and fully formed, which are used in similar contexts but can carry different emphases. The expression is versatile across domains—describing biological development, organizational capability, or the status of institutions—while preserving a sense of completeness and readiness.