fulfil
Formsfulfils, fulfilling, fulfilled
US spellingfulfill
- 1To do what you promised or what a rule asks, or to meet a need or do a job.
She fulfilled her promise to visit her gran every Sunday.
You must fulfil all the entry requirements to get a place on the course.
UsageKeep the last l single in fulfil and fulfils, but double it in fulfilled and fulfilling.
- 2To make something that was hoped for, promised or predicted come true.
She wants to fulfil her dream of becoming a nurse.
The trip to Japan fulfilled a dream he had had since he was a boy.
UsageSay fulfil a dream or fulfil an ambition.
Similarrealise, achieve, accomplish
- 3To make someone feel happy and satisfied, or to use all your talents as fully as you can.
Helping other people really fulfils her.
He wants a job where he can fulfil himself and use all his talents.
UsagePeople often say a fulfilling job or feel fulfilled.
- 4In business, to supply the goods a customer has ordered.
A company in Leeds fulfils all the orders from our website.
Small shops often pay a warehouse to fulfil their orders for them.
UsageUsually fulfil orders. The work is called fulfilment.
Note
Less common meaning
- 5To fill something completely, right up to the top.
The silence which benumbs or strains the sense Fulfils with awe the soul's despair unweeping
1870, James Thomson, The City of Dreadful NightMy lady is positively fulfilled of grace.
Note
Practice
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Origin
From an Old English word meaning 'to fill full', made from ful- and fill.
Checked 5 Nov 2026 · 2 facts
- Fulfil derives from an Old English word meaning 'to fill full'. en.wiktionary.org
- The Old English word combined the elements corresponding to ful- and fill. en.wiktionary.org