Ask Difference

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.
Fill vs. Fil — What's the Difference?

Difference Between Fill and Fil

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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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Author Spotlight

Written by
Tayyaba Rehman
Tayyaba 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

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