fulfill

verb

ful·​fill fu̇(l)-ˈfil 

also fə(l)-

variants or fulfil

fulfilled; fulfilling

transitive verb

1

a

: to put into effect : execute

He fulfilled his pledge to cut taxes.

b

: to meet the requirements of (a business order)

Their order for more TVs was promptly fulfilled.

c

: to measure up to : satisfy

She hasn't yet fulfilled the requirements needed to graduate.

d

: to bring to an end

… she came to install herself and fulfill her time at the house.

—Willa Cather

2

a

: to develop the full potentialities of

He has a lot of talent, but he hasn't really fulfilled his potential.

b

: to convert into reality

… a sense of the failure of life to fulfil its ultimate expectations.

—Leslie Rees

3

archaic : to make full : fill

Her subtle, warm, and golden breath … fulfills him with beatitude.

—Alfred Tennyson

fulfiller noun

Synonyms of fulfill

• satisfy
• keep
• complete
• meet

Choose the Right Synonym for fulfill

perform, execute, discharge, accomplish, achieve, effect, fulfill mean to carry out or into effect.

perform implies action that follows established patterns or procedures or fulfills agreed-upon requirements and often connotes special skill.

performed gymnastics

execute stresses the carrying out of what exists in plan or in intent.

executed the hit-and-run

discharge implies execution and completion of appointed duties or tasks.

discharged his duties

accomplish stresses the successful completion of a process rather than the means of carrying it out.

accomplished everything they set out to do

achieve adds to accomplish the implication of conquered difficulties.

achieve greatness

effect adds to achieve an emphasis on the inherent force in the agent capable of surmounting obstacles.

effected sweeping reforms

fulfill implies a complete realization of ends or possibilities.

fulfilled their ambitions

Examples of fulfill in a Sentence

He fulfilled his pledge to cut taxes.

She failed to fulfill her obligations.

The program is intended to fulfill the basic needs of children in the community.

If we could have that house, our dreams would be fulfilled.

He fulfilled his childhood wish to become a professional baseball player.

She fulfilled her life's ambition when she started her own business.

He's trying to fulfill himself as an artist.

Recent Examples on the Web

Maybe just as important as the opportunity to chase a fifth championship is the chance for the father of three to fulfill his family responsibilities. — Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2026

But players from Army, Navy and Air Force have historically had to spend time away from the field to fulfill their military commitments. — Matt Baker, New York Times, 1 July 2026

Rounded edges and plush cushions fulfill the desire for a softer silhouette, while the expensive-looking jewel-toned upholstery delivers on elegance. — Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 30 June 2026

Many humanities courses were a kind of way station for students to fulfill their general-education requirements, one of which was to produce twenty-four thousand words by graduation, by whatever means necessary. — Ann Manov, Harpers Magazine, 30 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English fulfillen, from Old English fullfyllan, from full full entry 1 + fyllan "to fill entry 1"

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Phrases Containing fulfill

• keep/fulfill one's promise

Rhymes for fulfill

• anthill
• backfill
• bluegill
• crossbill
• distil
• distill
• downhill
• dunghill
• foothill
• fulfil
• goodwill
• gristmill

Kids Definition

fulfill

verb

ful·​fill

variants or fulfil

fu̇l-ˈfil 

fulfilled; fulfilling

1

: accomplish

fulfill a promise

2

: to measure up to : satisfy

fulfill requirements

fulfiller noun

fulfillment

-mənt

noun