Synonyms

fulfilling

American

[fool-fil-ing] / fʊlˈfɪl ɪŋ /

adjective

satisfying or rewarding, especially by meeting the emotional need for meaning, challenge, growth, success, etc..

The young graduates were looking forward to the adventure of growing personally, gaining new skills, and embarking on a fulfilling career.

Usage

What does fulfilling mean? Fulfilling means providing or resulting in satisfaction or contentment. A job is fulfilling when it allows a person to fully use their talents and work on projects that they enjoy and that they find meaning in. A relationship is fulfilling for someone when it brings them happiness and a deep connection. Fulfilling is also the continuous tense (-ing form) of the verb fulfill, meaning “to satisfy” or “to bring about” (which is how it’s used in the term self-fulfilling, as in self-fulfilling prophecy). Something that’s fulfilling leads to fulfillment—a state of satisfaction or contentment. Someone who feels this way can be described as fulfilled. Example: My trip across Europe has been so fulfilling—I’ve learned new languages and new cultures, and, most importantly, I’ve learned new things about myself.

Etymology

Origin of fulfilling

First recorded in 1300–50; fulfill ( def. ) + -ing ² ( def. )

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Though the affluent enclave that’s located less than 14 miles north of L.A. had the education factor Farr was looking for, the mother of three was fearful it wouldn’t be fulfilling enough in other ways.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 7, 2026

It’s a match made in heaven — simple yet hearty and fulfilling.

From Salon • Apr. 6, 2026

A high score would provide evidence that an ESG-minded firm is fulfilling its fiduciary responsibility and possibly even meeting the requirements of the 2019 SEC Regulation Best Interest rule.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 16, 2026

For now, Tibbs is content to be fulfilling his potential with one organization.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 12, 2026

He knew the satisfaction that came from fulfilling employment and loved the sense of mission and camaraderie that the military gave him.

From "Hidden Figures" by Margot Lee Shetterly

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023