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Definition of fulfil verb from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

fulfil

verb
 
/fʊlˈfɪl/
 
/fʊlˈfɪl/
(British English)
(North American English fulfill)
Verb Forms
present simple I / you / we / they fulfil
 
/fʊlˈfɪl/
 
/fʊlˈfɪl/
(British English) he / she / it fulfils
 
/fʊlˈfɪlz/
 
/fʊlˈfɪlz/
(North American English) he / she / it fulfills
 
/fʊlˈfɪlz/
 
/fʊlˈfɪlz/
past simple fulfilled
 
/fʊlˈfɪld/
 
/fʊlˈfɪld/
past participle fulfilled
 
/fʊlˈfɪld/
 
/fʊlˈfɪld/
-ing form fulfilling
 
/fʊlˈfɪlɪŋ/
 
/fʊlˈfɪlɪŋ/
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  1. fulfil something to do or achieve what was hoped for or expected
    • to fulfil your dream/ambition/potential
    Extra Examples
    • He amply fulfilled the weight of expectation that they had placed on him.
    • The building is still fulfilling its original purpose admirably.
    • The movie doesn't quite fulfil its promise.
    • Türkiye is a market that has never quite fulfilled its potential.
    • Fulfil your dreams with a new career.
    Topics Successb2
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb
    • really
    • completely
    • not quite
    verb + fulfil/​fulfill
    • be able to
    • be unable to
    • can
    See full entry
  2. fulfil something (formal) to do or have what is required or necessary
    • to fulfil a duty/an obligation/a promise
    • to fulfil the terms/conditions of an agreement
    • No candidate fulfils all the criteria for this position.
    • He had fulfilled his promise to his father.
    • Once they had fulfilled their obligations, they were allowed to go.
    • Failure to fulfil the terms of the agreements may result in legal action.
    • Work permits are only given to people who fulfil certain criteria.
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb
    • really
    • completely
    • not quite
    verb + fulfil/​fulfill
    • be able to
    • be unable to
    • can
    See full entry
  3. fulfil something to have a particular role or purpose
    • Nursery schools should fulfil the function of preparing children for school.
    Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb
    • really
    • completely
    • not quite
    verb + fulfil/​fulfill
    • be able to
    • be unable to
    • can
    See full entry
  4. fulfil somebody/yourself to make somebody feel happy and satisfied with what they are doing or have done
    • I need a job that really fulfils me.
    • He was able to fulfil himself through his painting.
    Topics Feelingsb2
  5. fulfil something to pack and send something that a customer has ordered
    • We aim to fulfil all orders within seven days.
    • Huge demand led to customers waiting weeks to see their orders finally fulfilled.
    Topics Businessc1
  6. Word Originlate Old English fullfyllan ‘fill up, make full’ (see full, fill).
See fulfil in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic English
trait
noun
 
 
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