# fill

/ˈfɪɫ/ (US) · /fˈɪl/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/fill
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. to make full

verb · CEFR A1

to put something into a container until there is no more space.

For teachers: to occupy the whole of a space or container; can be used transitively with an object or intransitively to describe a space becoming full.

- Please fill the kettle with water and put it on the stove.
- The workers began to fill the deep trench with gravel to ensure proper drainage before the heavy rains arrived.

### 2. to complete an order or job

verb · CEFR B1

to do what is asked in an order, or to give someone a job that was empty.

For teachers: to satisfy a requirement or supply what is requested; also to appoint a person to a vacant position.

- The pharmacy will fill your prescription in about ten minutes.
- The company struggled to fill the senior management role after the previous director resigned unexpectedly.

### 3. to repair a tooth

verb · CEFR B2

to put a special material into a hole in a tooth to fix it.

For teachers: to treat a dental cavity by inserting a restorative material.

- The dentist had to fill two small cavities during my check-up.
- Modern dental practices often use composite resin to fill cavities, as it matches the natural colour of the patient's teeth.

### 4. enough of something

noun · CEFR B1

as much of something as you want or can handle.

For teachers: an amount that satisfies a desire or need; frequently used in the phrase 'to have one's fill'.

- I have had my fill of this cold weather and I am ready for summer.
- After a week of rich holiday meals, the guests had finally had their fill of chocolate and heavy desserts.

### 5. construction material

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

soil or rocks used to fill a hole in the ground.

For teachers: material such as earth, stones, or waste used to raise the level of the ground or fill a depression.

- The builders used clean fill to level the backyard before laying the grass.
- The structural integrity of the embankment depends heavily on the quality and compaction of the fill used during the initial phase.

### 6. music/drums

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

a short piece of music played in the gap between parts of a song.

For teachers: a short musical passage, riff, or drum sequence that fills a pause between main melodic phrases.

- The drummer played a loud fill just before the chorus started.
- The jazz pianist inserted a subtle melodic fill to bridge the transition between the verse and the improvised solo.

## Examples

- I have had my fill of this cold weather.
- After three hours at the all-you-can-eat buffet, he had finally had his fill of sushi.
- The documentary provides a fascinating look at the era, and history buffs will certainly get their fill of archival footage and expert interviews.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.