# unfulfilled

/ˌənfʊɫˈfɪɫd/ (US) · /ʌnfʊlfˈɪld/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/unfulfilled
Updated: 2026-05-19

## Definition

not having achieved what you wanted or expected. You use this to describe a feeling of being unhappy because you did not reach a goal.

For teachers: not having achieved a desired or expected result; lacking in satisfaction or completion. Often used to describe a state of emotional dissatisfaction or a goal that remains unrealised.

## Examples

- He felt unfulfilled after his first year of work.
- Many young professionals leave their corporate jobs in search of a more creative path, feeling unfulfilled by the repetitive nature of office life.
- The protagonist's journey is defined by a sense of unfulfilled potential, as he struggles to reconcile his artistic ambitions with the practical demands of his family's expectations.

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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.