fulfill

American  

[fool-fil] / fʊlˈfɪl /

especially British, fulfil

verb (used with object)

fulfilled, fulfilling

1. 

   to carry out, or bring to realization, as a prophecy or promise.

   Synonyms:

   realize, complete, achieve, accomplish

2. to perform or do, as duty; obey or follow, as commands.

   Synonyms:

   observe, discharge, execute

3. to satisfy (requirements, obligations, etc.).

   a book that fulfills a long-felt need.

   Synonyms:

   fill, answer, meet

4. to bring to an end; finish or complete, as a period of time.

   He felt that life was over when one had fulfilled his threescore years and ten.

   Synonyms:

   conclude, terminate, end

5. to develop the full potential of (usually used reflexively).

   She realized that she could never fulfill herself in such work.

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Other Word Forms

• fulfiller
  noun
• overfulfill
  verb (used with object)
• prefulfill
  verb (used with object)
• superfulfill
  verb (used with object)

Etymology

Origin of fulfill

First recorded before 1000; Middle English fulfillen, Old English fulfyllan. See full ¹, fill

Explanation

The verb fulfill means to fill a need or want. To fulfill yourself personally means to follow your inner passion, like flute-playing, no matter who thinks it's silly. Fulfill can also mean to meet expectations, or live up to a standard. If you fulfill your teacher's requirement of good behavior and good test scores, she'll give you a star. Finally, fulfill can mean to put into effect, or carry out. You'll fulfill the cookie orders when you deliver boxes of those tasty treats to the people who bought them.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

fulfill fulfilled fulfilling

For example: If your priority is paying for a grandchild’s tuition or donating to a beloved charity, you’re more likely to fall for a scheme that promises to fulfill that goal.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 25, 2026

Rather, she’s the film’s embodiment of a lawful good, pre-programmed to fulfill her mission linearly without getting lost in the big, open world.

From Salon ● Sep. 23, 2026

He allegedly used his illicit wealth to fulfill his dreams of playing professional soccer, buying himself a spot in the starting lineup for teams he bankrolled.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 23, 2026

They said their father "understood that while talent may be distributed equally, opportunity is not, and that those who demonstrate determination and endeavour should have the chance to fulfill their potential".

From BBC ● Sep. 22, 2026

I could also say that he did this not through altruistic motives but selfish ones, in order to fulfill some egotistic impulse of his own.

From "The Secret History" by Donna Tartt

They were living in poverty—a choice McCarthy made to devote himself to his craft—but Lee didn’t think she needed much to be fulfilled.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 1, 2026

"We have witnessed him giving a lot of promises and they are yet to be fulfilled," said Mahmoud, the artist.

From Barron's ● Oct. 1, 2026

“We fulfilled our $500 deductible and assumed 80% after that would be covered,” Higginbotham said.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 15, 2026

The NBA issued the following sanctions after a third-party probe determined Ballmer invested $60 million in a now-defunct company that in turn agreed to pay Leonard $28 million for endorsements he never fulfilled:

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 2, 2026

To use an Americanism, he had “taken no chances,” and the absolute accuracy with which his instructions were fulfilled, was simply the logical result of his care.

From "Dracula" by Bram Stoker

Federal Reserve policymakers watch inflation expectations closely, out of concern that if consumers expect fast-price increases, they will increase their current-day spending and make those expectations self fulfilling.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 9, 2026

"He lived his 87 years to the fullest, fulfilling his dream of being a Fashion and Costume Designer, which is all he ever wanted to do," it added.

From BBC ● Sep. 14, 2026

“He lived his 87 years to the fullest, fulfilling his dream of being a Fashion and Costume Designer, which is all he ever wanted to do,” the statement said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 14, 2026

But if you’re looking for joy online, we have diversions to help make this day fulfilling.

From Slate ● Sep. 11, 2026

But still the book gave her no answers, and however much she read, however skilled she became with a knife and a bow, she seemed no closer to fulfilling her vow.

From "The Reader" by Traci Chee