fulfill

ful|fill [ ful`fıl ] verb transitive **

1. ) to do a particular job or have a particular purpose:

fulfill a function/role/purpose: The church fulfills an important role in this town.

We know which part of the human brain fulfills this function.

a ) to reach a particular standard or have the qualities that are necessary for something:

fulfill requirements/criteria: Several of the applicants do not fulfill the entry requirements for the course.

fulfill conditions: Aid is dependent on certain political conditions being fulfilled.

b ) fulfill a need to provide something that people need:

The bus fulfills an important community need.

2. ) to achieve something that you wanted to do, or get something you hoped for:

fulfill a dream/ambition: The trip fulfilled a long-cherished dream.

fulfill an aim/objective: They hope to fulfill their objectives by 2004.

fulfill someone's expectations (=be as good as they expect): Supporters feel that the team has not fulfilled their expectations.

a ) fulfill your potential to achieve as much as your natural ability makes possible:

He never really fulfilled his potential as a player.

3. ) to do what you must do, for example as part of a job:

fulfill an obligation/duty/commitment: Landlords who refuse to fulfill their obligations may be liable to fines.

a ) to do what you have said you will do:

fulfill a promise/pledge: The government has failed to fulfill its election promises.

Sadly, this pledge was never fulfilled.

4. ) to make you happy and satisfied because you are using your abilities:

Being a wife and mother doesn't really fulfill me.