fulfil

English

Alternative forms

• (US) fulfill

Etymology

Late Old English fullfyllan, corresponding to full + fill.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /fʊlˈfɪl/, IPA^(key): /fəˈfɪl/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

• Rhymes: -ɪl

Verb

fulfil (third-person singular simple present fulfils, present participle fulfilling, simple past and past participle fulfilled)

1. (archaic) To fill up.

   My lady is positively fulfilled of grace.

   • 1870, James Thomson, The City of Dreadful Night

     The silence which benumbs or strains the sense

     Fulfils with awe the soul's despair unweeping

2. To satisfy, carry out, bring to completion (an obligation, a requirement, etc.).

   You made a promise, son, and now you must fulfil it.

3. To emotionally or artistically satisfy; to develop one's gifts to the fullest.

   This job fulfils me in a way my last one never did.

4. To obey, follow, comply with (a rule, requirement etc.).

   Unfortunately, you don't fulfil the criteria for extra grants at the present time.

Translations

carry out — see fulfill

Derived terms

• (UK) - fulfilment, fulfilled, fulfilling, fulfillable
• unfulfilled