Dictionary
fulfill
verb ful·fill \fu̇(l)-ˈfil also fə(l)-\
: to do what is required by (something, such as a promise or a contract)
: to succeed in doing or providing (something)
: to succeed in achieving (something) : to make (something, such as a dream) true or real
ful·filledful·fill·ing
Full Definition of FULFILL
transitive verb
1
archaic : to make full : fill <her subtle, warm, and golden breath…fulfills him with beatitude — Alfred Tennyson>
2
3
a : to convert into reality b : to develop the full potentialities of
— ful·fill·er noun
See fulfill defined for English-language learners
See fulfill defined for kids
Variants of FULFILL
ful·fill or ful·fil \fu̇(l)-ˈfil also fə(l)-\
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Origin of FULFILL
Middle English fulfillen, from Old English fullfyllan, from full + fyllan to fill
First Known Use: before 12th century
Related to FULFILL
Synonym Discussion of FULFILL
perform, execute, discharge, accomplish, achieve, effect, fulfill mean to carry out or into effect. perform implies action that follows established patterns or procedures or fulfills agreed-upon requirements and often connotes special skill <performed gymnastics>. execute stresses the carrying out of what exists in plan or in intent <executed the hit-and-run>. discharge implies execution and completion of appointed duties or tasks <discharged his duties>. accomplish stresses the successful completion of a process rather than the means of carrying it out <accomplished everything they set out to do>. achieve adds to accomplish the implication of conquered difficulties <achieve greatness>. effect adds to achieve an emphasis on the inherent force in the agent capable of surmounting obstacles <effected sweeping reforms>. fulfill implies a complete realization of ends or possibilities <fulfilled their ambitions>.
Rhymes with FULFILL
anthill, at will, backfill, ball mill, bluegill, Brazil, breast drill, cranesbill, crossbill, de Mille, dentil, de-skill, distill, doorsill, downhill, duckbill, dullsville, dunghill, fire drill, foothill, freewill, free will, gin mill, goodwill, gristmill, handbill, hawksbill, hornbill, Huntsville, ill will, instill, Knoxville, lambkill, landfill, limekiln, manille, McGill, Melville, mixed grill, molehill, mudsill, Nashville, no-till, pep pill, per mill, playbill, pot still, pug mill, quadrille, red squill, refill, roadkill, sawmill, Schuylkill, self-will, Seville, sheathbill, shoebill, show bill, sidehill, sigil, spadille, spoonbill, stabile, standstill, stock-still, storksbill, T-bill, treadmill, true bill, twin bill, twist drill, until, uphill, vaudeville, waxbill, waybill, windchill, windmill, Zangwill
FULFILL Defined for Kids
fulfill
verb ful·fill \fu̇l-ˈfil\
ful·filledful·fill·ing
Definition of FULFILL for Kids
1
: to make real <fulfill a dream>
Variants of FULFILL
ful·fill or ful·fil \fu̇l-ˈfil\
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