fulfil
B2Neutral to formal; common in written and spoken English.
Definition
Meaning
to achieve or realise something desired, promised, or predicted; to satisfy or meet a requirement.
To develop one's gifts and abilities to their fullest extent; to carry out a duty or role completely.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Often implies the completion of a process or the satisfaction of conditions. Can carry connotations of accomplishment, duty, and potential.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
UK: 'fulfil'. US: 'fulfill'. The British spelling uses a single 'l' at the end, while the American spelling doubles it. Past tense/past participle: 'fulfilled' in both varieties.
Connotations
Broadly similar in both varieties, associated with achievement, duty, and potential.
Frequency
Common in both varieties. Slightly more frequent in UK English due to 'fulfilment' (UK) vs. 'fulfillment' (US) in business contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Sb] fulfil [Sth][Sth] fulfil [Sth] (e.g., This job fulfils my creative needs.)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “fulfil oneself (to realise one's potential)”
- “dreams come true/find fulfilment”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
To complete an order or contract; to meet a job specification.
Academic
To satisfy the criteria of a hypothesis or to complete research objectives.
Everyday
To achieve a personal goal or keep a promise.
Technical
In computing/software: to satisfy a condition or execute a function (e.g., 'fulfil a request').
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- She hoped to fulfil her ambition of becoming a pilot.
- The company failed to fulfil its contractual obligations.
- This course will help you fulfil your potential.
American English
- He worked hard to fulfill his father's wishes.
- The product did not fulfill the safety requirements.
- Traveling the world fulfilled a lifelong dream.
adverb
British English
- N/A (The adverb is 'fulfillingly', but it is extremely rare).
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- N/A (The adjective is 'fulfilled': a fulfilled life).
American English
- N/A (The adjective is 'fulfilled': a fulfilling career).
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I will fulfil my promise to help you.
- The toy fulfilled the child's wish.
- To get the visa, you must fulfil all the requirements.
- He finally fulfilled his dream of visiting Paris.
- The new policy aims to fulfil the government's environmental targets.
- She found a job that truly fulfilled her.
- The novel's complex protagonist fails to fulfil his perceived destiny, leading to tragedy.
- The software module is designed to fulfil multiple concurrent requests efficiently.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'A promise FULLy FILLed' = FULFIL. You fill something up completely.
Conceptual Metaphor
LIFE IS A CONTAINER TO BE FILLED (fulfilling one's potential). PROMISES/OBLIGATIONS ARE DEBTS TO BE PAID (fulfilling an obligation).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'fill' (наполнять). 'Fulfil' is 'выполнять', 'осуществлять', 'исполнять'.
- The Russian verb 'удовлетворять' can mean 'fulfil' (a requirement) but is more often 'satisfy'.
- Beware of false friend 'реализовать' which can mean 'fulfil' (a plan) but also 'sell'.
Common Mistakes
- Misspelling: 'fullfill' or 'fullfil' (incorrect).
- Using 'fulfil' with 'to' incorrectly: *'I fulfilled to go' instead of 'I fulfilled my promise to go'.
- Confusing 'fulfil' (verb) with 'fulfilment' (noun).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the standard British English spelling?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Both are correct, but 'fulfil' is standard British English, and 'fulfill' is standard American English.
The noun is 'fulfilment' (UK) or 'fulfillment' (US).
Yes. A person can fulfil a promise or role. A thing (e.g., job, experience) can fulfil a need or requirement.
'Accomplish' often focuses on successfully completing a specific task or goal through effort. 'Fulfil' has a broader sense of meeting conditions, satisfying needs, or realising potential, and is strongly tied to promises, duties, and expectations.