fill-in

[fil-in]

noun

1. a person or thing that fills in, as a substitute, replacement, or insertion.

   The company used a fill-in for workers on vacation.

2. a brief, informative summary; a rundown.

fill in

verb

1. (tr) to complete (a form, drawing, etc)

2. (intr) to act as a substitute

   a girl is filling in while the typist is away

3. (tr) to put material into (a hole or cavity), esp so as to make it level with a surface

4. informal,  (tr) to inform with facts or news

5. slang,  (tr) to attack and injure severely

noun

1. a substitute

2. informal,  a briefing to complete one's understanding

Word History and Origins

Origin of fill-in¹

First recorded in 1915–20; noun use of verb phrase fill in

Idioms and Phrases

Complete something, especially by supplying more information or detail. For example, Be sure to fill in your salary history . It is also put as fill in the blanks , as in We'll rely on Mary to fill in the blanks . Yet another related usage is fill someone in , as in I couldn't attend, so will you fill me in? The first term dates from the mid-1800s; the others from the first half of the 1900s. Also see fill out .

Also, fill in for . Take someone's place, substitute for. For example, The understudy had to fill in at the last minute , or I can't come but my wife will fill in for me . Also see fill someone's shoes .

Example Sentences

He has been brought to Washington several times in recent years for fill-in work at the anchor desk and a permanent role there is likely in his future.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Cummins may return for the second Test, and for now Scott Boland is a capable fill-in with an outstanding record in Australia.

Read more on BBC

She also was a frequent fill-in for Gayle King on the weekday morning program.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

He had little knowledge of weather when he was first hired by the station to do weather reports as a fill-in.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Since early last week, fill-in hosts have been substituting for O’Kelly.

Read more on Los Angeles Times