fulfil
gb/fʊlfˈɪl/ us/fʊlfˈɪl/
B1
English
~ 3000
teljesít, betart, eleget tesz, kielégít, beteljesít, kiteljesít, valóra vált, sikerül, elér, kibontakoztat, megvalósít
VERB
B1
1
Usage pattern:
to fulfil [a promise/duty/requirement]
She worked hard to fulfil her promise to her parents.
Keményen dolgozott, hogy betartsa a szüleinek tett ígéretét.
The company failed to fulfil its contractual obligations.
A cég nem teljesítette szerződéses kötelezettségeit.
He fulfilled his duty as a citizen by voting in the election.
We must fulfil all the safety requirements before opening.
The charity fulfilled its mission to help the homeless.
Learner examples
I will fulfil my promise to you.
Be fogom tartani a neked tett ígéretemet.
They did not fulfil the rules of the game.
Nem tartották be a játékszabályokat.
She fulfilled her job duties well.
We must fulfil the law.
He fulfilled his role in the play.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'fulfil' with 'fill', but 'fulfil' means to complete a duty or promise, not to put something inside another thing.
Meaning
Carry out a promise or duty
Collocations
fulfil a promise
|fulfil a requirement
|fulfil an obligation
|fulfil a contract
|fulfil a duty
Synonyms
carry out (Neutral and common; refers to executing a task or duty.)
|
honour (More formal; often used for promises or agreements.)
Antonyms
break (Used for not keeping a promise or agreement.)
|
neglect (Fail to do something that is required or expected.)
Themes
daily life
|business
|law
|work
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To do what you said you would do or what is needed.
To do or complete what is required, promised, or expected.
VERB
B2
2
Usage pattern:
to fulfil [someone/someone's needs/desires]
Travelling the world has fulfilled her lifelong dream.
A világ beutazása valóra váltotta élete nagy álmát.
He felt fulfilled after helping others.
Mások segítése után kiteljesedettnek érezte magát.
The job fulfils my need for creativity.
Their marriage has fulfilled them both emotionally.
She finally fulfilled her wish to sing on stage.
Learner examples
This job fulfils me.
Ez a munka kiteljesít.
He fulfilled his dream to go to Japan.
Valóra váltotta az álmát, hogy eljusson Japánba.
The gift fulfilled her wish.
Helping people fulfils him.
The trip fulfilled my hope to see snow.
Common mistake:
Learners may overuse 'fulfil' instead of 'satisfy' in casual contexts. 'Fulfil' can sound more formal or specific than 'make happy'.
Meaning
Satisfy needs or desires
Collocations
fulfil someone's dream
|fulfil someone's wish
|fulfil a desire
|fulfil emotional needs
Synonyms
satisfy (Common and direct; broadly means meeting needs or desires.)
|
gratify (Slightly formal; often used for satisfying desires or pleasures.)
Antonyms
disappoint (Fail to meet someone's hopes or expectations.)
|
frustrate (Prevent someone from achieving what they want.)
Themes
emotions
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To make someone feel happy because their needs or wishes are met.
To make someone feel happy or satisfied by doing what they want or need.
VERB
B1
3
Usage pattern:
to fulfil [a goal/objective/potential]
She is working hard to fulfil her ambition of becoming a doctor.
Keményen dolgozik, hogy megvalósítsa azt az ambícióját, hogy orvos legyen.
The athlete fulfilled his potential by winning gold.
Az atléta az aranyérem megnyerésével kibontakoztatta a tehetségét.
We hope to fulfil our targets by next year.
He fulfilled his childhood dream of flying a plane.
The project fulfilled all its objectives on time.
Learner examples
I want to fulfil my goal this year.
Idén el akarom érni a célomat.
He fulfilled his dream job.
Megszerezte álmai állását.
They fulfilled their plan to build a school.
I will fulfil my hope to learn English.
She fulfilled her wish to visit Paris.
Meaning
Achieve something desired or planned
Collocations
fulfil your potential
|fulfil an ambition
|fulfil a goal
Synonyms
achieve (General term for successfully bringing about a goal.)
|
realize (Often used for making dreams or ambitions real.)
Antonyms
fail (Not succeed in achieving something.)
|
miss (Fail to reach a goal or opportunity.)
Themes
goals
|personal development
|core_vocabulary
Definition
To make something you wanted happen.
To succeed in achieving something you wanted, planned, or expected.
Grammar
Dictionary form
fulfil
IPA
GB/fʊlfˈɪl/
US/fʊlfˈɪl/
Syllables & stress
ful - fil (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (fil)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: fulfil
- 3rd Person Singular: fulfills, fulfils
- Present Participle: fulfilling
- Past: fulfilled
- Past Participle: fulfilled
Word family
Forms
fulfills
verb
fulfils
verb
fulfilling
verb
fulfilled
verb
Core family
fulfilment
noun B2
Negative and opposite forms
unfulfilled
adjective
Highlights
- Irregular present participle: fulfilling Verb
- Irregular past: fulfilled Verb
- Irregular past participle: fulfilled Verb
Expressions
fulfil a promise
1/fʊlfˈɪl ə pɹˈɑməs/
fixed phrase
Do what you promised to do
To do what you said you would do.
Examples
- He always fulfils his promises, no matter how difficult.
- She fulfilled her promise to return the money on time.
fulfil an obligation
1/fʊlfˈɪl ən ˌɑbləɡˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
formal
Do what duty or law requires
To do something that you must do because it is your duty or the law says so.
Examples
- We must fulfil our obligations under the contract.
- She fulfilled her obligation by paying the debt in full.
fulfil one's potential
1/fʊlfˈɪl wˈʌnz pətˈɛnʃəl/
fixed phrase
Achieve all your abilities allow
To be as good as you can be and use all your skills.
Examples
- The teacher helped her students fulfil their potential.
- He finally fulfilled his potential as an artist.