# fulfilling

/fʊɫˈfɪɫɪŋ/ (US) · /fʊlfˈɪlɪŋ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/fulfilling
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. satisfying

adjective · CEFR B2

making you feel happy and satisfied because you are using your abilities or doing something useful.

For teachers: providing a sense of emotional, spiritual, or professional satisfaction through the realisation of one's potential or the completion of meaningful work.

- Nursing is a very difficult job, but she finds it deeply fulfilling.
- Many professionals choose to leave high-paying corporate roles in search of more fulfilling careers in the non-profit sector.

### 2. completing or achieving

verb · CEFR B2

the act of finishing a task, reaching a goal, or doing what is required.

For teachers: the present participle or gerund of 'fulfil', referring to the execution of a duty, the satisfaction of a requirement, or the achievement of a goal.

- By finishing the project on time, he is fulfilling his promise to the team.
- The company is currently fulfilling all its contractual obligations despite the recent supply chain disruptions.

Usage: In British English, the base verb is usually spelled 'fulfil', while in American English it is 'fulfill'. Both use the double 'l' in 'fulfilling'.

## Examples

- Volunteering at the animal shelter is very fulfilling.
- She left her high-paying corporate job to find a more fulfilling career in teaching.
- While the work was physically demanding, he found the process of restoring the historic library deeply fulfilling on a personal level.

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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.