adj
Uncommon
fulfilling
Fulfilling (adj) means giving a deep sense of satisfaction or purpose. Example: “Volunteering at the shelter was the most fulfilling thing she did all year.”
adj
1
Giving a deep sense of satisfaction or purpose.
"Volunteering at the shelter was the most fulfilling thing she did all year."
"He wanted a fulfilling career, not just a well-paid one."
"Teaching her grandson to read was a deeply fulfilling experience."
How to use fulfilling
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomething that leaves you feeling satisfied and purposeful, beyond just enjoyable.
Common pairings
a fulfilling career
a fulfilling relationship
find something fulfilling
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like fulfilling.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- fulfillings
- Comparative
- more fulfilling
- Superlative
- most fulfilling
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Volunteering at the shelter was the most _____ thing she did all year.
Related words
Rhymes for fulfilling
willing
killing
filling
milling
billing
chilling
drilling
spilling
grilling
trilling
Shilling
unwilling
See all rhymes for fulfilling →
Frequently asked questions
What does “fulfilling” mean?
The word “fulfilling” means giving a deep sense of satisfaction or purpose. In plain terms, something that leaves you feeling satisfied and purposeful, beyond just enjoyable.
How do you use “fulfilling” in a sentence?
Here is “fulfilling” used in a sentence: “Volunteering at the shelter was the most fulfilling thing she did all year.”
What part of speech is “fulfilling”?
“Fulfilling” is an adjective.
Is “fulfilling” a common word?
“Fulfilling” is an uncommon word in modern English.
What is the difference between fulfilling and fun?
Fun describes something enjoyable in the moment, while fulfilling describes something that gives a deeper, longer-term sense of satisfaction or purpose. A job can be fun without being fulfilling, or fulfilling without being especially fun.
What kinds of things are commonly described as fulfilling?
Careers, relationships, hobbies, and volunteer work are commonly described as fulfilling when they give a person a strong sense of meaning or purpose. The word is often paired with nouns like "career," "life," or "experience."
Is fulfilling the same as satisfying?
Fulfilling and satisfying are close in meaning, but fulfilling more strongly implies personal growth or realized potential, while satisfying can apply to simpler needs being met, such as a satisfying meal. Fulfilling is rarely used for small, everyday pleasures.
