filling
B1Neutral to formal, with specific technical registers in dentistry and manufacturing.
Definition
Meaning
Material used to fill a space, cavity, or gap, often to make something full or complete.
1. The contents of something (like a pie or sandwich). 2. A dental procedure to repair a cavity. 3. A feeling of satisfaction from food. 4. A process of making something full.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily used as a noun. As an adjective ('filling food'), it describes food that satisfies hunger. The dental and culinary meanings are distinct but related by the concept of putting something into a void.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Minimal. The dental procedure 'filling' is universal. The adjective 'filling' for food is slightly more common in British English.
Connotations
In both varieties, 'filling' for food has a positive connotation of satisfaction. In dentistry, it is neutral/procedural.
Frequency
Comparably frequent. The noun form is dominant.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
N (filling) + for + N (a filling for the tooth)N (filling) + made of + N (a filling made of amalgam)Adj (filling) + N (a very filling meal)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “A filling station (old-fashioned for petrol/gas station)”
- “Stop-gap filling (temporary solution)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Refers to the process of fulfilling orders or filling job vacancies.
Academic
Used in materials science (composite fillings) and dentistry literature.
Everyday
Most common for discussing food and dental care.
Technical
Specific to dentistry (dental fillings), manufacturing (mould filling), and upholstery (cushion filling).
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- She is filling in the application.
- They are filling the potholes on our road.
American English
- He is filling out the tax form.
- The company is filling the position soon.
adjective
British English
- That stew was very filling.
- We need a more filling breakfast.
American English
- The potatoes are hearty and filling.
- It's cheap but not very filling.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The apple pie has a sweet filling.
- I don't like the filling in this sandwich.
- The dentist said I need a filling.
- This pasta is really filling.
- The cushion's filling is made of memory foam.
- The filling of the vacancy has been delayed.
- The composite filling matches the colour of the tooth perfectly.
- The geological survey involved filling the gaps in the existing data.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a PILLOW being FILLed with soft INGredients – FILL-ING.
Conceptual Metaphor
SATISFACTION IS FILLING (e.g., 'a filling meal'). REPAIR IS FILLING (e.g., 'filling a cavity').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'заполнение' (the process of filling). 'Filling' as a noun is the material/result: 'начинка' (food), 'пломба' (dental).
- The adjective 'filling' (сытный) is not directly related to the verb 'to fill' in Russian syntax.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'filling' as a verb (incorrect: 'I am filling the form' – correct: 'I am filling *in/out* the form').
- Confusing 'filling' (n.) with 'full' (adj.).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'filling' NOT typically used?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
The word 'filling' is the present participle or gerund of the verb 'to fill' (e.g., 'I am filling a bucket'). However, as a standalone dictionary entry, 'filling' is primarily a noun and sometimes an adjective.
They can be synonymous. However, 'stuffing' often implies it's forced into a cavity (like inside a turkey), while 'filling' is more general for what goes inside pastries, sandwiches, or dumplings.
No, 'filling' as an adjective only describes food or meals that satisfy hunger. It is not used to describe a person's character or appearance.
Common materials include amalgam (silver-coloured), composite resin (tooth-coloured), gold, and porcelain. The choice depends on cost, location, and patient preference.