fulfill

UK: /fʊlˈfɪl/ US: /fʊlˈfɪl/ ,(fŏŏl fil′)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

ful•fill or ful•fil /fʊlˈfɪl/   v. [~ + object] , -filled, -fill•ing or -fil•ling. 

1. to carry out or bring to realization:
   The dream of a world without war is yet to be fulfilled.
2. to perform or do, such as duty;
   obey or follow, such as commands:
   ability to fulfill the job.
3. to satisfy (requirements, needs, obligations, etc.):
   That book will fulfill a long-felt need.
4. [~ + oneself] to develop the full potential of (oneself).

ful•fill•ment, n. [uncountable]

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

ful•fill  (fŏŏl fil′), v.t. 

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. 

• Middle English fulfillen, Old English fulfyllan. See full¹, fill bef. 1000

ful•fill′er, n. 
Synonyms

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

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

ful•fil  (fŏŏl fil′), v.t., -filled, -fil•ling. 

1. fulfill.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

fulfil, fulfill / fʊlˈfɪl/ verb ( -fils) ( -fills, -filling, -filled)(transitive)

1. to bring about the completion or achievement of (a desire, promise, etc)
2. to carry out or execute (a request, etc)
3. to conform with or satisfy (regulations, demands, etc)
4. to finish or reach the end of
5. fulfil oneself ⇒ to achieve one's potential or desires

Etymology: Old English fulfyllan

fulˈfilment, fulˈfillment noun