fill
A1Neutral (used across all registers from informal to formal)
Definition
Meaning
To make something full or to occupy available space.
To satisfy a requirement, to occupy a position or role, to complete a form or document, to perform a duty, or to cause an emotional state.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The verb 'fill' typically implies a transition from a state of emptiness or vacancy to one of fullness or occupancy. It often requires a direct object (the container) and can be followed by 'with' to specify the content. It can also be used intransitively (e.g., 'The room filled quickly').
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minor spelling differences in derived forms (e.g., 'fulfil' vs. 'fulfill'). The noun 'filler' is used similarly. The phrasal verb 'fill in' for completing a form is universal, but 'fill out' is more common in American English.
Connotations
Largely identical. In business contexts, 'to fill a position' is standard in both.
Frequency
Equally high frequency in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[NP] fill [NP][NP] fill [NP] with [NP][NP] fill up[NP] fill in [NP]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “fill someone's shoes”
- “fill the bill”
- “have one's fill of something”
- “fill your boots”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
To occupy a job position ('We need to fill the marketing manager role').
Academic
To complete data or meet criteria ('The study fills a gap in the literature').
Everyday
To put a substance into a container ('Can you fill my glass with water?').
Technical
In computing, to apply colour or pattern to a defined area ('Use the paint bucket tool to fill the shape').
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- Could you fill the kettle for tea?
- She will fill in for the manager during his holiday.
- The government pledged to fill the funding gap.
American English
- Can you fill out this application form?
- He filled his truck with gas before the road trip.
- This new policy fills a critical need.
adjective
British English
- The fill pipe is located at the rear of the vehicle.
- We offer a fill service for propane cylinders.
American English
- Pull up to the fill hose, please.
- The fill valve needs replacing.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Fill your plate with vegetables.
- The bathtub is filling with water.
- Can you fill me in on what happened yesterday?
- The company is trying to fill three new positions.
- The scent of flowers filled the summer air.
- Her research aims to fill a significant gap in our understanding.
- The new legislation was designed to fill a regulatory vacuum.
- A profound sense of dread filled him as he entered the room.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a bottle with a label that says 'FILL ME' up to the line marked 'LL'.
Conceptual Metaphor
EMOTIONS ARE LIQUIDS ('Her eyes filled with joy'), KNOWLEDGE IS A CONTAINER ('The course filled his mind with new ideas').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid using 'fill' for 'fulfil' a dream/promise (use 'fulfil' or 'realize').
- Do not confuse 'fill in a form' (заполнить бланк) with 'fill the form' (incorrect).
- 'Fill with anger' is correct, but 'fill anger' is not.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: 'I filled water into the glass.' Correct: 'I filled the glass with water.'
- Incorrect: 'Please fill this blanks.' Correct: 'Please fill in these blanks.'
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'fill' correctly?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Both are correct. 'Fill in' is more common in British English, often for individual blanks. 'Fill out' is more common in American English for the entire form. They are often interchangeable.
Yes, it is common. Emotions are often described as things that 'fill' a person: 'He was filled with pride', 'Sadness filled her heart'.
It is a regular verb. The past tense and past participle are both 'filled'.
It means to take over someone's role or duties, especially when they have done the job very well, implying it is difficult to do as well as they did.