fu-chou
B2Formal/Neutral
Definition
Meaning
To complete or achieve something that was required, promised, or expected.
To satisfy a condition, requirement, or purpose; to bring something to its full potential or development.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Often carries a sense of satisfaction, completion, or actualisation. Can imply moral duty (fulfilling an obligation), potential (fulfilling a promise), or personal development (fulfilling oneself).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The primary difference is spelling. British English uses 'fulfil', while American English uses 'fulfill'. The double 'l' is standard in American English for the verb and its inflections (fulfills, fulfilled, fulfilling). British English doubles the 'l' only when adding suffixes beginning with a vowel (fulfils, fulfilled, fulfilling).
Connotations
No significant difference in connotation beyond the spelling.
Frequency
Comparably common in both varieties, with the appropriate spelling preference.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
fulfil + NP (direct object)fulfil + oneself (reflexive)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “fulfil oneself (to achieve one's potential)”
- “a dream fulfilled”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
To meet contractual obligations, satisfy customer requirements, or achieve sales targets.
Academic
To satisfy the conditions of a hypothesis, meet research criteria, or complete a set of requirements.
Everyday
To keep a promise, achieve a personal goal, or meet someone's expectations.
Technical
In computing, to satisfy the conditions of a query or promise in asynchronous programming.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The manager failed to fulfil his duties.
- The course helped her to fulfil her potential.
- The product fulfils all safety criteria.
American English
- The manager failed to fulfill his duties.
- The course helped her to fulfill her potential.
- The product fulfills all safety criteria.
adverb
British English
- He lived his life fully and fulfillingly.
American English
- He lived his life fully and fulfillingly.
adjective
British English
- It was a deeply fulfilling career.
- She found the work very fulfilling.
American English
- It was a deeply fulfilling career.
- She found the work very fulfilling.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- He always fulfils his promises.
- The toy fulfilled the child's wish.
- You must fulfil all the entry requirements for the university.
- The new job allows her to fulfil her ambition to travel.
- The government has been criticised for failing to fulfil its election pledges.
- The novel's complex plot ultimately fulfils the reader's expectations.
- The artist felt that only through abstraction could she truly fulfil her creative vision.
- The treaty provisions were meticulously fulfilled by all signatory states.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'FULL FILL' – you completely FILL the requirement until it's FULL.
Conceptual Metaphor
CONTAINER (filling an abstract container of expectation/duty); JOURNEY (reaching a destination of completion).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct translation with 'наполнять' (to fill physically). Closer equivalents are 'выполнять' (to perform/execute), 'осуществлять' (to realise/accomplish), 'удовлетворять (требования)' (to satisfy requirements). The reflexive 'fulfil oneself' is often 'самореализоваться'.
Common Mistakes
- Spelling confusion: 'fullfill' or 'fullfil'. Using 'fulfil' for a physical filling (e.g., 'fulfil the glass'). Incorrect preposition: 'fulfil to the duty' instead of 'fulfil the duty'.
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'fulfil' (or 'fulfill') INCORRECTLY?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Fulfil' often implies meeting an external requirement, promise, or expectation (e.g., a duty, criteria). 'Accomplish' focuses more on the successful completion of a task or goal through effort, emphasising the achievement itself.
Both are correct, but 'fulfil' is the standard British English spelling, while 'fulfill' is the standard American English spelling. The American version always has a double 'l'.
Yes, 'to fulfil oneself' is a common phrase meaning to develop one's abilities and character to their fullest extent, leading to satisfaction.
It is neutral to formal. In very casual speech, simpler words like 'do', 'meet', or 'keep' (a promise) might be used, but 'fulfil' is common in writing and standard speech.