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

In the end, Nova Scotia did not fulfill the George family’s hopes for prosperity and stability.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 10, 2026

“The way they fulfill that is a combination of taking any classes they want on the university campus — pass/fail — and by teaching and volunteering,” said Abid-Wood.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 10, 2026

Adding customers that Wall Street trusts to fulfill cloud contracts with CoreWeave is also crucial.

From Barron's • Apr. 10, 2026

The youngster had the galleries chanting his name as he tried to fulfill a vow made 12 months ago - to clear the water with his tee-shot on the final ninth hole.

From BBC • Apr. 8, 2026

This was an art school, and the writing workshop was commonly known as the easiest way to fulfill one's mandatory English credits.

From "Me Talk Pretty One Day" by David Sedaris