fulfill

Tweet

verb ful·fill \fu̇(l)-ˈfil also fə(l)-\

: to do what is required by (something, such as a promise or a contract)

: to succeed in doing or providing (something)

: to succeed in achieving (something) : to make (something, such as a dream) true or real

ful·filledful·fill·ing

Full Definition of FULFILL

transitive verb

1

archaic :  to make full :  fill <her subtle, warm, and golden breath…fulfills him with beatitude — Alfred Tennyson>

2

a :  to put into effect :  execute

b :  to meet the requirements of (a business order)

c :  to bring to an end

d :  to measure up to :  satisfy

3

a :  to convert into reality

b :  to develop the full potentialities of

— ful·fill·er noun

Quick read: 10 gorgeous winter quotes »

Variants of FULFILL

ful·fill or ful·fil \fu̇(l)-ˈfil also fə(l)-\

Examples of FULFILL

1. He fulfilled his pledge to cut taxes.
2. She failed to fulfill her obligations.
3. The program is intended to fulfill the basic needs of children in the community.
4. If we could have that house, our dreams would be fulfilled.
5. He fulfilled his childhood wish to become a professional baseball player.
6. She fulfilled her life's ambition when she started her own business.
7. He's trying to fulfill himself as an artist.

Origin of FULFILL

Middle English fulfillen, from Old English fullfyllan, from full + fyllan to fill

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to FULFILL

Synonyms

answer, complete, comply (with), fill, keep, meet, redeem, satisfy, abide by, make good (or make good on)

Antonyms

breach, break, transgress, violate

Related Words

conclude, consummate, finalize, finish, perfect; accomplish, achieve, bring about, bring off, carry out, effect; commit, compass, discharge, execute, follow through (with), make, perform

Near Antonyms

default (on); disregard, forget, ignore, neglect, overlook, overpass, pass over, slight

See Synonym Discussion at perform

Rhymes with FULFILL

anthill, at will, backfill, ball mill, bluegill, Brazil, breast drill, cranesbill, crossbill, de Mille, dentil, de-skill, distill, doorsill, downhill, duckbill, dullsville, dunghill, fire drill, foothill, freewill, free will, gin mill, goodwill, gristmill, handbill, hawksbill, hornbill, Huntsville, ill will, instill, Knoxville, lambkill, landfill, limekiln, manille, McGill, Melville, mixed grill, molehill, mudsill, Nashville, no-till, pep pill, per mill, playbill, pot still, pug mill, quadrille, red squill, refill, roadkill, sawmill, Schuylkill, self-will, Seville, sheathbill, shoebill, show bill, sidehill, sigil, spadille, spoonbill, stabile, standstill, stock-still, storksbill, T-bill, treadmill, true bill, twin bill, twist drill, until, uphill, vaudeville, waxbill, waybill, windchill, windmill, Zangwill