fill
fihl
Fill (verb) means to add enough of something to a container or space so that nothing more can fit. Example: “She filled the kettle with water.”
verb
1
To add enough of something to a container or space so that nothing more can fit.
"She filled the kettle with water."
"The stadium filled quickly before kickoff."
"The room began to fill with smoke from the burnt toast."
2
To satisfy a requirement, order, or vacancy.
"The company still needs to fill three open positions."
"The pharmacy filled the prescription within an hour."
"Who will fill the vacancy when our manager leaves next month?"
How to use fill
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo make something full, or to satisfy a need, order, or role.
Common pairings
fill a gap
fill an order
fill a vacancy
fill up
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Word forms
- Plural
- fills
- Third person singular
- fills
- Past tense
- filled
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She _____ the kettle with water.
Etymology
From Old English fyllan ("to fill, satisfy, complete"), rooted in the Germanic word for "full."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for fill
See all rhymes for fill →Frequently asked questions
What does “fill” mean?
The word “fill” means to add enough of something to a container or space so that nothing more can fit. In plain terms, to make something full, or to satisfy a need, order, or role.
How do you pronounce “fill”?
“Fill” is pronounced fihl (/fɪl/ in IPA).
How do you use “fill” in a sentence?
Here is “fill” used in a sentence: “She filled the kettle with water.”
What is another word for “fill”?
Words with a similar meaning to “fill” include get up in and swive.
What is the opposite of “fill”?
The opposite of “fill” — its antonyms — is empty.
What part of speech is “fill”?
“Fill” is a verb.
Where does the word “fill” come from?
The word “fill” comes from Old English. From Old English fyllan ("to fill, satisfy, complete"), rooted in the Germanic word for "full.".
Is “fill” a common word?
“Fill” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
What is the difference between 'fill in' and 'fill out'?
Both mean to complete a form by adding the required information, and they are largely interchangeable. 'Fill out' is more common in American English, while 'fill in' is more common in British English. 'Fill in' can also mean adding a single missing detail, or temporarily taking someone's place at work.
What is the opposite of fill?
The main opposite is 'empty', removing contents rather than adding them. 'Drain' fits liquids, 'unload' fits cargo, and 'vacate' fits a space that people leave. Where fill means to occupy something completely, its opposites all describe making it empty, hollow, or available again.
What is an example of fill?
Pouring water into a glass until it reaches the brim is a clear example: you fill the glass. You might fill a bath, fill a tank with petrol, or fill a room with people. In each case you add enough of something that little or no space is left.
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