Definition

1. Verb:

   • To make something full or to become full. This is the most common meaning, involving putting enough of something into a container, space, or time so that no more can be added.
   • To occupy a space completely.
   • To satisfy a need, requirement, or condition.
   • To hold or perform the duties of a position or role.
   • To put a material into a hole, cavity, or gap to make it level or solid.

2. Noun:

   • An amount of something that is enough to make something full or to satisfy.
   • Material used to fill a hole or make ground level.

Usage

• Verb (Transitive): Used with a direct object (what is being filled).
  • Please fill the glass with water.
  • The news filled her with joy.
  • He will fill the vacant position.
• Verb (Intransitive): Used without a direct object, describing the state of becoming full.
  • The stadium began to fill an hour before the game.
  • Her eyes filled with tears.
• Noun: Often used with possessive pronouns (my, your, his, her, its, our, their) or articles (a, the).
  • He ate his fill at the buffet.
  • We used gravel as fill for the pothole.

Examples

• Verb:
  • Can you fill this bottle, please? (Make it full)
  • The crowd filled the entire square. (Occupied the space)
  • This product fills a real need in the market. (Satisfies a need)
  • She fills the role of team leader admirably. (Performs the duties)
  • The dentist will fill the cavity. (Put material in a hole)
  • The room filled with laughter. (Became full)
• Noun:
  • I've had my fill of bad news today. (I've had enough)
  • The construction crew ordered more fill for the foundation. (Material)

Advanced Usage

• "To fill someone's shoes": To take over someone's role or responsibilities, especially when they have done it well.
  • It will be hard to find someone who can fill her shoes after she retires.
• "To fill the bill": To be suitable or adequate for a particular purpose.
  • This simple tool should fill the bill for our needs.

Variants and Related Words

• Filler (n): 1. A substance used to fill something. 2. Something of lesser quality used to take up space (e.g., in a speech or publication).
• Filling (n): 1. The material used to fill something (e.g., a dental filling, pie filling). 2. (Adj.) Making you feel full after eating.
• Full (adj): Containing as much as possible; having no empty space. (This is the state resulting from the action "to fill").

Synonyms

• Verb: Pack, load, stock, replenish, occupy, pervade, satisfy, meet, fulfill, execute, perform.
• Noun: Sufficiency, enough, capacity, load, filler, packing.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Fill in:
  • To add information in the blank spaces on a document.

    • Fill in your name and address on the form.
  • To temporarily do someone's job.

    • I'm filling in for the manager while she's on vacation.
  • To inform someone with details.

    • Can you fill me in on what happened at the meeting?
• Fill out:
  • To complete a form by writing information (similar to "fill in," often used for longer forms).

    • Please fill out this application.
  • To become larger or rounder, often referring to a person's body.

    • He filled out after he started going to the gym.
• Fill up:
  • To make something completely full.

    • I need to fill up the car with gas.
  • To become completely full.

    • The theater filled up quickly.

Related Idioms

• Have big shoes to fill: A variation of "fill someone's shoes," emphasizing that the previous person was exceptionally good.
• Fill your face: To eat a lot of food greedily. (Informal)
  • The kids just filled their faces with pizza.

Noun

1. any material that fills a space or container
   • there was not enough fill for the trench
2. a quantity sufficient to satisfy
   • he ate his fill of potatoes
   • she had heard her fill of gossip

Verb

1. plug with a substance
   • fill a cavity
2. fill to satisfaction
   • I am sated
3. eat until one is sated
   • He filled up on turkey
4. appoint someone to (a position or a job)
5. fill or meet a want or need
6. assume, as of positions or roles
   • She took the job as director of development
   • he occupies the position of manager
   • the young prince will soon occupy the throne
7. occupy the whole of
   • The liquid fills the container
8. become full
   • The pool slowly filled with water
   • The theater filled up slowly
9. make full, also in a metaphorical sense
   • fill a container
   • fill the child with pride