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v. filled, fill·ing, fills v.tr. 1. a. To put something into (a container, for example) to capacity or to a desired level: fill a glass with milk; filled the tub with water. b. To supply or provide to the fullest extent: filled the mall with new stores. c. To build up the level of (low-lying land) with material such as earth or gravel. d. To stop or plug up (an opening, for example). e. To repair a cavity of (a tooth). f. To add a foreign substance to (cloth or wood, for example). 2. a. To flow or move into (a container or area), often to capacity: Water is filling the basement. Fans are filling the stadium. b. To pervade: Music filled the room. 3. a. To satiate, as with food and drink: The guests filled themselves with pie. b. To engage or occupy completely: a song that filled me with nostalgia. 4. b. To supply what is specified by or required for: fill a prescription; fill an order. 5. a. To put a person into (a job or position): We filled the job with a new hire. b. To discharge the duties of; occupy: How long has she filled that post? 6. To cover the surface of (an inexpensive metal) with a layer of precious metal, such as gold. 7. Nautical a. To cause (a sail) to swell. b. To adjust (a yard) so that wind will cause a sail to swell. v.intr. To become full: The basement is filling with water. n. Phrasal Verbs: 1. An amount needed to make full, complete, or satisfied: eat one's fill. 2. Material for filling a container, cavity, or passage. 3. a. A built-up piece of land; an embankment. b. The material, such as earth or gravel, used for this. fill in 1. To write information in (a blank space, as on a form). 2. To write in (information) in a blank space. 3. Informal To provide with information that is essential or newly acquired: I wasn't there—would you fill me in? 4. To act as a substitute; stand in: an understudy who filled in at the last minute. fill out Idioms: 1. To complete (a form, for example) by providing required information: carefully filled out the job application. 2. To become or make more fleshy: He filled out after age 35. fill (someone's) shoes To assume someone's position or duties. fill the bill Informal To serve a particular purpose. [Middle English fillen, from Old English fyllan; see pelə-1 in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] filla·ble adj. |
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