In this thesis, we examine fully nonlinear problems in two distinct contexts. The first part of our work focuses on fully nonlinear mean-field games. In this context, we examine gains of regularity, the existence of solutions, relaxation results, and particular aspects of a one-dimensional problem. The second half of the thesis concerns a (sharp) regularity theory for fully nonlinear equations degenerating with respect to the gradient of the solutions. The fundamental question underlying both topics regards the effects of ellipticity on the intrinsic properties of solutions to nonlinear equations. To be more precise, in the case of mean-field game systems, ellipticity seems to be magnified through the coupling structure. On the other hand, in the degenerate setting, ellipticity collapses, giving rise to intricate regularity phenomena. Our analysis is preceded by some context on both topics.