fulfilment
gb/fˈʊlfəlmənt/ us/fˈʊlfəlmənt/
B2
English
~ 6700
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B2
state
1
deep personal satisfaction in life
A strong, long-lasting feeling of satisfaction and contentment because your life, work, or relationships feel meaningful and right for you.
Usage pattern:
[someone] finds fulfilment in [something]
Common mistake:
Learners often confuse "fulfilment" with simple "happiness". "Happiness" can be short and simple, but "fulfilment" usually suggests deeper, long-term satisfaction from meaning or achievement. Another common mistake is using it countably in odd ways (e.g. *"many fulfilments"*). It is almost always used as an uncountable noun ("a sense of fulfilment", NOT *"many fulfilments"*).
Synonyms
satisfaction (General word; can be used for small or big things, while fulfilment usually suggests something deeper and longer-lasting.)
|
contentment (Focuses more on peaceful happiness; fulfilment often includes growth or achievement as well.)
Antonyms
frustration (Describes the painful feeling when needs or goals are blocked, the opposite of feeling fulfilled.)
|
dissatisfaction (General lack of satisfaction, contrasting with the complete satisfaction suggested by fulfilment.)
Collocations
a sense of fulfilment
|personal fulfilment
|emotional fulfilment
|job fulfilment
|find fulfilment
|seek fulfilment
Themes
emotions
|personal_development
|work
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She finally found a sense of fulfilment in teaching after years in an office job.
- Many people look for fulfilment not just in their careers but in their relationships and hobbies.
- The project gave him deep fulfilment because it helped his local community.
- Creative work brings her more fulfilment than a higher salary would.
- He described fatherhood as his greatest source of fulfilment.
Learner examples
- She finds fulfilment in helping old people.
- For him, music is a way to feel fulfilment.
- I get real fulfilment when I finish a hard task.
- Many people want a job that gives them fulfilment.
- Travel gave her a new feeling of fulfilment.
unknown
B2
action
2
carrying out a duty or promise
The action of keeping a promise or doing what a rule, law, or contract says you must do.
Usage pattern:
the fulfilment of [a promise / an obligation / a requirement]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this sense with emotional "fulfilment" and produce sentences like *"The fulfilment of the contract made her happy"* when they really mean her personal feelings. In legal or work contexts, "fulfilment" usually refers to actions (carrying out obligations), not emotions.
Synonyms
completion (Focuses on finishing something, while fulfilment also includes the idea of meeting a duty or promise.)
|
execution (More formal/technical, often used in legal or business contexts for carrying out a plan or duty.)
Antonyms
breach (Legal/formal term for breaking a promise, duty, or contract, the opposite of fulfilling it.)
|
non-fulfilment (Formal term that directly names the failure to carry out a duty or promise.)
Collocations
fulfilment of a promise
|fulfilment of obligations
|fulfilment of duties
|fulfilment of a contract
|fulfilment of legal requirements
Themes
law
|relationships
|work
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The company was taken to court for the non-fulfilment of its contractual obligations.
- The fulfilment of that promise took longer than we expected, but they did keep their word.
- Her resignation meant the fulfilment of her duties had to be passed to another manager.
- The treaty depends on the full fulfilment of both sides' commitments.
- Timely fulfilment of these obligations is essential to keep your licence.
Learner examples
- The fulfilment of the contract took two years.
- The lawyer checked the fulfilment of all legal rules.
- The company failed in the fulfilment of its promise to pay on time.
- The manager is responsible for the fulfilment of safety rules.
- Fulfilment of these duties is part of your job.
Noun
technical
C1
action
3
processing and shipping customer orders
In business, the work of getting a product to a customer after they order it, including storing, picking, packing, and shipping the product.
Usage pattern:
[a company] handles the fulfilment of [orders]
Common mistake:
Learners may think "fulfilment centre" is a place for emotional support because of the everyday meaning of "fulfilment". In business, it is a warehouse where online orders are prepared and shipped. Also, in American English this is spelled "fulfillment" with one "l" after the first "l".
Synonyms
order processing (Informal/neutral business term; focuses on handling the order data, while "fulfilment" also includes storage and shipping.)
|
distribution (Broader term for moving goods; "fulfilment" is more focused on individual customer orders.)
Antonyms
backlog (A build-up of unprocessed orders, highlighting the failure or delay in fulfilment.)
|
stockout (When items are not available to ship, preventing proper fulfilment of orders.)
Collocations
order fulfilment
|fulfilment centre
|e-commerce fulfilment
|fulfilment services
|fulfilment operation
Themes
business
|commerce
|logistics
Examples
- They outsource their order fulfilment to a specialist logistics company.
- The new warehouse will double our fulfilment capacity during the holiday season.
- Efficient fulfilment is critical for any successful e-commerce business.
- The retailer opened a new fulfilment centre close to the city to speed up deliveries.
- Poor fulfilment led to late deliveries and many customer complaints.
Learner examples
- The online shop uses a third party for order fulfilment.
- Fast fulfilment is important for customer satisfaction.
- She manages the fulfilment team in the warehouse.
- They built a large fulfilment centre near the airport.
- Good fulfilment keeps shipping costs low.
Noun
formal
C1
state
4
meeting stated conditions or criteria
The situation where all rules, conditions, or requirements for something have been met.
Usage pattern:
the fulfilment of [conditions / requirements / criteria]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes try to use "fulfilment" here in informal speech where a simpler verb is better, e.g. *"We reached fulfilment of the conditions"* instead of "We met the conditions." This sense is mainly used in formal writing (contracts, university rules, official letters).
Synonyms
compliance (Often used in legal or regulatory contexts; focuses on obeying rules, while fulfilment can be broader and include general requirements or criteria.)
|
satisfaction (Formal sense meaning "meeting a condition" (as in "satisfaction of the requirements"); similar but slightly more legalistic than fulfilment.)
Antonyms
non-compliance (Formal opposite, especially when requirements are rules or regulations.)
|
failure to meet requirements (Plain description of the opposite state, when the conditions are not satisfied.)
Collocations
fulfilment of requirements
|fulfilment of conditions
|fulfilment of criteria
|fulfilment of entry requirements
Themes
education
|law
|business
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Admission is subject to the fulfilment of all entry requirements by the stated deadline.
- The fulfilment of these criteria will qualify you for the scholarship.
- The contract becomes valid only upon the fulfilment of certain financial conditions.
- We must verify the fulfilment of safety standards before opening the plant.
- Their report confirms the full fulfilment of the project requirements.
Learner examples
- The job offer depends on the fulfilment of visa rules.
- Fulfilment of all course requirements is needed for graduation.
- The school checked the fulfilment of health conditions.
- We must show the fulfilment of these criteria to get funding.
- The licence is given after the fulfilment of all legal requirements.
Grammar
Dictionary form
fulfilment
IPA
GB/fˈʊlfəlmənt/
US/fˈʊlfəlmənt/
Syllables & stress
ful - fil - ment (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (ful)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: fulfilment
- Plural: fulfilment, fulfilments
Word family
Expressions
a sense of fulfilment
1/ə sˈɛns əv fˈʊlfəlmənt/
fixed phrase
a feeling of being fulfilled
A strong feeling that your life, work, or relationships are meaningful and satisfying.
Examples
- Volunteering at the shelter gives her a sense of fulfilment she never found in office jobs.
- Many people retire early to look for a greater sense of fulfilment in their personal lives.
emotional fulfilment
1/ɪmˈoʊʃənəl fˈʊlfəlmənt/
fixed phrase
deep satisfaction of emotional needs
A feeling that your emotional needs, such as love and connection, are fully met.
Examples
- A strong partnership can be a major source of emotional fulfilment.
- She realised that success without emotional fulfilment left her feeling empty.
find fulfilment in
1/fˈaɪnd fˈʊlfəlmənt ˈɪn/
fixed phrase
gain deep satisfaction from something
To feel deeply satisfied and happy because of a particular activity, job, or relationship.
Examples
- Many people find fulfilment in creative work rather than in earning a high salary.
- She finds fulfilment in raising her children and supporting her community.
fulfilment centre
1/fˈʊlfəlmənt sˈɛntɚ/
fixed phrase
technical
warehouse for processing orders
A large building where online orders are stored, packed, and sent to customers.
Examples
- The retailer built a new fulfilment centre near the port to speed up international shipping.
- Working in a fulfilment centre can involve long hours of picking and packing items.
job fulfilment
1/d͡ʒˈɑb fˈʊlfəlmənt/
fixed phrase
deep satisfaction from your job
The feeling that your job is meaningful and satisfying and uses your skills well.
Examples
- The company focuses on job fulfilment as well as salary and benefits.
- Teachers often report high levels of job fulfilment despite the challenges.
lack of fulfilment
1/lˈæk əv fˈʊlfəlmənt/
fixed phrase
not having a fulfilled feeling
A situation where someone does not feel that their life or work is meaningful or satisfying.
Examples
- Her sudden career change came from a deep lack of fulfilment in her previous job.
- The survey showed a worrying lack of fulfilment among younger employees.
order fulfilment
1/ˈɔɹdɚ fˈʊlfəlmənt/
fixed phrase
technical
processing and shipping orders
In business, the whole process of getting a product to a customer after they order it.
Examples
- Improving order fulfilment has reduced delivery times by two days.
- They use an external company to handle order fulfilment for their online store.
personal fulfilment
1/pˈɚsənəl fˈʊlfəlmənt/
fixed phrase
deep satisfaction with one’s own life
Deep, long-term satisfaction with your own life, choices, and growth as a person.
Examples
- She chose a lower-paying job because it offered more personal fulfilment.
- Travel and study abroad were important steps in his personal fulfilment.
seek fulfilment
1/sˈik fˈʊlfəlmənt/
fixed phrase
look for deep life satisfaction
To look for a way of life that makes you feel deeply satisfied and complete.
Examples
- In their thirties, many people begin to seek fulfilment beyond their careers.
- He moved abroad to seek fulfilment and new experiences.
the fulfilment of a promise
1/ðə fˈʊlfəlmənt əv ə pɹˈɑməs/
fixed phrase
carrying out a promise
The act of doing what you said you would do when you made a promise.
Examples
- The donation marked the fulfilment of a promise he had made years earlier.
- Trust depends on the fulfilment of a promise, not just on kind words.