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Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This

ful·fill

Audio Help [foo

l-fil] Pronunciation Key

–verb (used with object)

1.	to carry out, or bring to realization, as a prophecy or promise.

2.	to perform or do, as duty; obey or follow, as commands.

3.	to satisfy (requirements, obligations, etc.): a book that fulfills a long-felt need.

4.	to bring to an end; finish or complete, as a period of time: He felt that life was over when one had fulfilled his threescore years and ten.

5.	to develop the full potential of (usually used reflexively): She realized that she could never fulfill herself in such work.

Also, fulfil.

[Origin: bef. 1000; ME fulfillen, OE fulfyllan. See full¹, fill

]

—Related forms

ful·fill·er, noun

—Synonyms 1. accomplish, achieve, complete, realize. 2. execute, discharge, observe. 3. meet, answer, fill, comply with. 4. end, terminate, conclude.

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
fulfill

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American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

ful·fill also ful·fil Audio Help (fŏŏl-fĭl') Pronunciation Key
tr.v. ful·filled, ful·fill·ing, ful·fills also ful·fils

To bring into actuality; effect: fulfilled their promises.
To carry out (an order, for example).
To measure up to; satisfy. See Synonyms at perform, satisfy.
To bring to an end; complete.

[Middle English fulfillen, from Old English fullfyllan : full, full; see full¹ + fyllan, to fill; see fill.]

ful·fill'er n., ful·fill'ment, ful·fil'ment n.

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Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
fulfill

O.E. fullfyllan "fill up, make full," from full + fyllan (see fill, which is ultimately from the root of full). Used early of prophecy and perhaps a translation of L. implere, adimplere.

WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This

fulfill
verb
1.	put in effect; "carry out a task"; "execute the decision of the people"; "He actioned the operation" [syn: carry through]
2.	meet the requirements or expectations of [syn: satisfy] [ant: fall short of]
3.	fill or meet a want or need [syn: meet]

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Fulfill

Ful*fill"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Fulfilled; p. pr. & vb. n. Fulfilling.] [OE. fulfillen, fulfullen, AS. fulfyllan; ful full + fyllan to fill. See Full, a., and Fill, v. t.] [Written also fulfil.]

1. To fill up; to make full or complete. [>Obs.] "Fulfill her week" --Gen. xxix. 27.

Suffer thou that the children be fulfilled first, for it is not good to take the bread of children and give to hounds. --Wyclif (Mark vii. 27).

2. To accomplish or carry into effect, as an intention, promise, or prophecy, a desire, prayer, or requirement, etc.; to complete by performance; to answer the requisitions of; to bring to pass, as a purpose or design; to effectuate.

He will, fulfill the desire of them fear him. --Ps. cxlv. 199.

Here Nature seems fulfilled in all her ends. --Milton.

Servants must their masters' minds fulfill. --Shak.

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