Fill vs. Fil — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Maham Liaqat — Updated on April 4, 2024
Fill means to make full or complete, whereas "fil" is not a standard English word but may refer to abbreviations or specific contexts.
Difference Between Fill and Fil
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Fill is a verb that describes the action of making something full or complete, often by adding material to an empty space. It's commonly used in various contexts, from filling a glass with water to filling out a form. On the other hand, "fil" does not have a defined meaning in standard English and might be considered a typographical error for "fill." However, it could also refer to specific abbreviations or acronyms in certain fields, or to the word "fil" in other languages, which can have meanings like "thread" or "wire" in Scandinavian languages.
When discussing "fill," it is understood as an action or process, which is integral to various everyday activities. It encompasses both physical and metaphorical uses, such as filling a room with furniture or filling someone's life with joy. "Fil," lacking a standard definition, does not convey a universally recognized action or concept in English, making direct comparison challenging beyond the clarification of "fill" as the correct spelling for the intended action.
Fill is versatile and finds application across different contexts, highlighting its role in completing or adding to something. Whether it’s filling a gap in knowledge or filling a tank with fuel, the concept of adding to make something whole is central. "Fil," if mistakenly used in place of "fill," could lead to confusion and misinterpretation, underscoring the importance of correct spelling and context in communication.
In terms of usage, "fill" is widely applicable and understood in English-speaking contexts, whereas "fil" requires specific clarification or context to impart meaning. This distinction is crucial for clear communication, whether in writing or speech. While "fill" contributes to the richness of English vocabulary through its varied applications, the significance of "fil" would be limited to contexts where its specific, non-standard or non-English meaning is relevant and understood.
Comparison Chart
Definition
To make full or complete
Not a standard word; may refer to abbreviations/specific contexts
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Common Use
Filling a container, completing forms
Possible typographical error for "fill" or specific non-English meanings
Application
Widely used in everyday contexts
Limited to specific abbreviations or non-English languages
Metaphorical Use
Can denote completion or satisfaction in various aspects
Not applicable in standard English
Language Relevance
Integral part of English vocabulary
Context-specific or non-standard usage
Compare with Definitions
Fill
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.
Fil
A Nordic dairy product, similar to yogurt, but using different bacteria which give a different taste and texture.
Fill
To supply or provide to the fullest extent
Filled the mall with new stores.
Fil
(chess) alfil.
Fill
To build up the level of (low-lying land) with material such as earth or gravel.
Fill
To stop or plug up (an opening, for example).
Fill
To repair a cavity of (a tooth).
Fill
To add a foreign substance to (cloth or wood, for example).
Fill
To flow or move into (a container or area), often to capacity
Water is filling the basement. Fans are filling the stadium.
Fill
To pervade
Music filled the room.
Fill
To satiate, as with food and drink
The guests filled themselves with pie.
Fill
To engage or occupy completely
A song that filled me with nostalgia.
Fill
To satisfy or meet; fulfill
Fill the requirements.
Fill
To supply what is specified by or required for
Fill a prescription.
Fill an order.
Fill
To put a person into (a job or position)
We filled the job with a new hire.
Fill
To discharge the duties of; occupy
How long has she filled that post?.
Fill
To cover the surface of (an inexpensive metal) with a layer of precious metal, such as gold.
Fill
To cause (a sail) to swell.
Fill
To adjust (a yard) so that wind will cause a sail to swell.
Fill
To become full
The basement is filling with water.
Fill
An amount needed to make full, complete, or satisfied
Eat one's fill.
Fill
Material for filling a container, cavity, or passage.
Fill
A built-up piece of land; an embankment.
Fill
The material, such as earth or gravel, used for this.
Fill
(transitive) To occupy fully, to take up all of.
Fill
(transitive) To add contents to (a container, cavity, or the like) so that it is full.
Fill
To enter (something), making it full.
Fill
(intransitive) To become full.
The bucket filled with rain;
The sails fill with wind
Fill
(intransitive) To become pervaded with something.
My heart filled with joy.
Fill
(transitive) To satisfy or obey (an order, request, or requirement).
The pharmacist filled my prescription for penicillin.
We can't let the library close! It fills a great need in the community.
Fill
(transitive) To install someone, or be installed, in (a position or office), eliminating a vacancy.
Sorry, no more applicants. The position has been filled.
Fill
(transitive) To treat (a tooth) by adding a dental filling to it.
Dr. Smith filled Jim's cavity with silver amalgam.
Fill
(transitive) To fill or supply fully with food; to feed; to satisfy.
Fill
To trim (a yard) so that the wind blows on the after side of the sails.
Fill
To have sexual intercourse with (a female).
Did you fill that girl last night?
Fill
(after a possessive) A sufficient or more than sufficient amount.
Don't feed him any more: he's had his fill.
Fill
An amount that fills a container.
The mixer returned to the plant for another fill.
Fill
The filling of a container or area.
That machine can do 20 fills a minute.
This paint program supports lines, circles, and textured fills.
Fill
Inexpensive material used to occupy empty spaces, especially in construction.
The ruins of earlier buildings were used as fill for more recent construction.
Fill
(archaeology) Soil and/or human-created debris discovered within a cavity or cut in the layers and exposed by excavation; fill soil.
Fill
An embankment, as in railroad construction, to fill a hollow or ravine; also, the place which is to be filled.
Fill
(music) A short passage, riff, or rhythmic sound that helps to keep the listener's attention during a break between the phrases of a melody.
Bass fill
Fill
One of the thills or shafts of a carriage.
Fill
One of the thills or shafts of a carriage.
Fill
A full supply, as much as supplies want; as much as gives complete satisfaction.
I'll bear thee hence, where I may weep my fill.
Fill
That which fills; filling; filler; specif., an embankment, as in railroad construction, to fill a hollow or ravine; also, the place which is to be filled.
Fill
To make full; to supply with as much as can be held or contained; to put or pour into, till no more can be received; to occupy the whole capacity of.
The rain also filleth the pools.
Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. Anf they filled them up to the brim.
Fill
To furnish an abudant supply to; to furnish with as mush as is desired or desirable; to occupy the whole of; to swarm in or overrun.
And God blessed them, saying. Be fruitful, and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas.
The Syrians filled the country.
Fill
To fill or supply fully with food; to feed; to satisfy.
Whence should we have so much bread in the wilderness, as to fillso great a multitude?
Things that are sweet and fat are more filling.
Fill
To possess and perform the duties of; to officiate in, as an incumbent; to occupy; to hold; as, a king fills a throne; the president fills the office of chief magistrate; the speaker of the House fills the chair.
Fill
To supply with an incumbent; as, to fill an office or a vacancy.
Fill
To press and dilate, as a sail; as, the wind filled the sails.
Fill
To make an embankment in, or raise the level of (a low place), with earth or gravel.
Fill
To become full; to have the whole capacity occupied; to have an abundant supply; to be satiated; as, corn fills well in a warm season; the sail fills with the wind.
Fill
To fill a cup or glass for drinking.
Give me some wine; fill full.
Fill
A quantity sufficient to satisfy;
He ate his fill of potatoes
She had heard her fill of gossip
Fill
Any material that fills a space or container;
There was not enough fill for the trench
Fill
Make full, also in a metaphorical sense;
Fill a container
Fill the child with pride
Fill
Become full;
The pool slowly filled with water
The theater filled up slowly
Fill
Occupy the whole of;
The liquid fills the container
Fill
Assume, as of positions or roles;
She took the job as director of development
Fill
Fill or meet a want or need
Fill
Appoint someone to (a position or a job)
Fill
Eat until one is sated;
He filled up on turkey
Fill
Fill to satisfaction;
I am sated
Fill
Plug with a substance;
Fill a cavity
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat