Fulfilling

/fʊlˈfɪlɪŋ/

adjectivemediumCommonLiterature

Definitions

1

Providing satisfaction or happiness; causing one to feel content.

/fʊlˈfɪlɪŋ/

adjectivepositivemedium
Literature

Bringing satisfaction or contentment

Traveling the world is a fulfilling experience for many.

💡 Simply: Imagine you finally achieve a big goal you've been working toward. Like, you finally finish writing that book you always wanted to write! That happy feeling when you're done? That's fulfilling. It's like the pieces of a puzzle coming together.

👶 For kids: When something makes you feel happy and good inside, like when you build a really cool LEGO tower.

More Examples

2

He found his volunteer work to be personally fulfilling.

3

The fulfilling relationship with his friends brought him great joy.

4

She strives to live a fulfilling life every day.

How It's Used

General

"She found her new career to be very fulfilling."

Psychology

"The research suggests that meaningful relationships are fulfilling for human beings."

From Middle English fulfillen, from Old English fullfyllan ('to fill fully'), from full ('full') + fyllan ('to fill').

The word 'fulfilling' and its related forms have appeared in texts since the Middle Ages, initially reflecting the act of completing or satisfying a need or promise.

Memory tip

Think of filling a void with something good – that's what fulfilling feels like.

fullfillingfulfiling

Usage

40%Spoken
60%Written