Fill vs. Fit — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Urooj Arif — Updated on May 16, 2024
Fill means to make something full or occupy space, while fit means to be the right size or shape for something.
Difference Between Fill and Fit
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Fill involves making something full by adding a substance or occupying space within it. For example, you can fill a glass with water, meaning you pour water into the glass until it is full. Fill can also refer to occupying time, as in filling a schedule with activities. Fit, on the other hand, refers to being the correct size or shape for a specific space or purpose. For instance, clothes that fit well are the right size for the person wearing them. Fit can also imply suitability, such as a candidate being a good fit for a job.
Fill is often used in contexts where something is being added to reach capacity, such as filling a container, room, or gap. Fit is used when discussing the appropriateness of size, shape, or compatibility, such as fitting into clothes, a role, or a particular space.
Fill typically involves a process of adding or occupying, whereas fit involves matching or being compatible. Fill can be both a verb and a noun, while fit is mainly a verb and can also be used as an adjective.
Fill might imply completion, as in filling out a form completely. Fit implies correctness and harmony, ensuring that something is suitable or appropriate.
Comparison Chart
Definition
To make something full or occupy space
To be the correct size or shape
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Context
Adding to reach capacity
Matching size, shape, or suitability
Usage Example
Fill a glass with water
Clothes that fit well
Process vs. State
Process of adding or occupying
State of matching or being suitable
Verb and Noun Usage
Can be both
Mainly a verb, also an adjective
Compare with Definitions
Fill
To occupy space within something.
The crowd filled the stadium.
Fit
To be the correct size or shape for something.
The shoes fit perfectly.
Fill
To complete by adding necessary information.
Please fill out this form.
Fit
To be suitable or appropriate for a purpose.
She is a good fit for the job.
Fill
To occupy time.
He filled his day with meetings.
Fit
To place something in a particular space.
They fit the furniture into the small apartment.
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.
Fit
To meet the requirements or criteria.
His qualifications fit the job description.
Fill
To supply or provide to the fullest extent
Filled the mall with new stores.
Fit
Of a suitable quality, standard, or type to meet the required purpose
The house was not fit for human habitation
Is the water clean and fit to drink?
Fill
To build up the level of (low-lying land) with material such as earth or gravel.
Fit
In good health, especially because of regular physical exercise
The measures would ensure a leaner, fitter company
My family keep fit by walking and cycling
Fill
To stop or plug up (an opening, for example).
Fit
Be of the right shape and size for
Those jeans still fit me
The shoes fitted better after being stretched
Fill
To repair a cavity of (a tooth).
Fit
Install or fix (something) into place
They fitted smoke alarms to their home
Fill
To add a foreign substance to (cloth or wood, for example).
Fit
Be compatible or in agreement with; match
The landlord had not seen anyone fitting that description
Fill
To flow or move into (a container or area), often to capacity
Water is filling the basement. Fans are filling the stadium.
Fit
Have an epileptic fit
He started fitting uncontrollably
Fill
To pervade
Music filled the room.
Fit
The particular way in which something, especially a garment or component, fits
The dress was a perfect fit
Fill
To satiate, as with food and drink
The guests filled themselves with pie.
Fit
A sudden attack of convulsions and/or loss of consciousness, typical of epilepsy and some other medical conditions
The child had frequent fits
Fill
To engage or occupy completely
A song that filled me with nostalgia.
Fit
A sudden short period of uncontrollable coughing, laughter, etc.
Fill
To satisfy or meet; fulfill
Fill the requirements.
Fit
A section of a poem.
Fill
To supply what is specified by or required for
Fill a prescription.
Fill an order.
Fit
To be the proper size and shape for
These shoes fit me.
Fill
To put a person into (a job or position)
We filled the job with a new hire.
Fit
To cause to be the proper size and shape
The tailor fitted the trousers by shortening them.
Fill
To discharge the duties of; occupy
How long has she filled that post?.
Fit
To measure for proper size
She fitted me for a new jacket.
Fill
To cover the surface of (an inexpensive metal) with a layer of precious metal, such as gold.
Fit
To be appropriate to; suit
Music that fits your mood.
Fill
To cause (a sail) to swell.
Fit
To be in conformity or agreement with
Observations that fit the theory nicely.
Fill
To adjust (a yard) so that wind will cause a sail to swell.
Fit
To make suitable; adapt
Fitted the shelves for large books.
Fill
To become full
The basement is filling with water.
Fit
To make ready; prepare
Specialized training fitted her for the job.
Fill
An amount needed to make full, complete, or satisfied
Eat one's fill.
Fit
To equip; outfit
Fit out a ship.
Fill
Material for filling a container, cavity, or passage.
Fit
To provide a place or time for
You can't fit any more toys in the box. The doctor can fit you in today.
Fill
A built-up piece of land; an embankment.
Fit
To insert or adjust so as to be properly in place
Fit a handle on a door.
Fill
The material, such as earth or gravel, used for this.
Fit
To be the proper size and shape.
Fill
(transitive) To occupy fully, to take up all of.
Fit
To be suited; belong
Doesn't fit in with these people.
Fill
(transitive) To add contents to (a container, cavity, or the like) so that it is full.
Fit
To be in harmony; agree
His good mood fit in with the joyful occasion.
Fill
To enter (something), making it full.
Fit
Suited, adapted, or acceptable for a given circumstance or purpose
Not a fit time for flippancy.
Fill
(intransitive) To become full.
The bucket filled with rain;
The sails fill with wind
Fit
Appropriate; proper
Do as you see fit.
Fill
(intransitive) To become pervaded with something.
My heart filled with joy.
Fit
Physically sound; healthy
Keeps fit with diet and exercise.
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.
Fit
(Biology) Able to survive and produce viable offspring in a particular environment
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.
Fit
The state, quality, or way of being fitted
The proper fit of means to ends.
Fill
(transitive) To treat (a tooth) by adding a dental filling to it.
Dr. Smith filled Jim's cavity with silver amalgam.
Fit
The manner in which clothing fits
A jacket with a tight fit.
Fill
(transitive) To fill or supply fully with food; to feed; to satisfy.
Fit
The degree of precision with which surfaces are adjusted or adapted to each other in a machine or collection of parts.
Fill
To trim (a yard) so that the wind blows on the after side of the sails.
Fit
A seizure or convulsion, especially one caused by epilepsy.
Fill
To have sexual intercourse with (a female).
Did you fill that girl last night?
Fit
A sudden physical outburst
A fit of coughing.
A fit of laughter.
Fill
(after a possessive) A sufficient or more than sufficient amount.
Don't feed him any more: he's had his fill.
Fit
A sudden, involuntary physical reaction
A fit of shivering.
A fit of cramps.
Fill
An amount that fills a container.
The mixer returned to the plant for another fill.
Fit
A sudden, involuntary mental experience
A fit of amnesia.
A fit of déjà vu.
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.
Fit
A sudden outburst of emotion
A fit of jealousy.
Fill
Inexpensive material used to occupy empty spaces, especially in construction.
The ruins of earlier buildings were used as fill for more recent construction.
Fit
A sudden period of vigorous activity.
Fill
(archaeology) Soil and/or human-created debris discovered within a cavity or cut in the layers and exposed by excavation; fill soil.
Fit
A section of a poem or ballad.
Fill
An embankment, as in railroad construction, to fill a hollow or ravine; also, the place which is to be filled.
Fit
Suitable, proper.
You have nothing to say about it. I'll do exactly as I see fit.
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
Fit
Adapted to a purpose or environment.
Survival of the fittest
Fill
One of the thills or shafts of a carriage.
Fit
In good shape; physically well.
You don't have to be a good climber for Kilimanjaro, but you do have to be fit.
Fill
One of the thills or shafts of a carriage.
Fit
Sexually attractive; good-looking; fanciable.
I think the girl working in the office is fit.
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.
Fit
Prepared; ready.
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.
Fit
(transitive) To be suitable for.
It fits the purpose.
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.
Fit
(intransitive) To have sufficient space available at some location to be able to be there.
Ten clowns fit in the car, but not a hundred.
A grain of sand will fit in the cave, but an elephant will not.
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.
Fit
(transitive) To conform to in size and shape.
The small shirt doesn't fit me, so I'll buy the medium size.
If I lose a few kilos, the gorgeous wedding dress might fit me.
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.
Fit
(intransitive) To be of the right size and shape
I wanted to borrow my little sister's jeans, but they didn't fit.
That plug fit into the other socket, but it won't go in this one.
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.
Fit
To make conform in size and shape.
I want to fit the drapes to the windows.
Fill
To supply with an incumbent; as, to fill an office or a vacancy.
Fit
(transitive) To tailor; to change to the appropriate size.
I had a suit fitted by the tailor.
Fill
To press and dilate, as a sail; as, the wind filled the sails.
Fit
(transitive) To be in agreement with.
These definitions fit most of the usage.
Fill
To make an embankment in, or raise the level of (a low place), with earth or gravel.
Fit
(transitive) To adjust.
The regression program fit a line to the data.
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.
Fit
(transitive) To attach, especially when requiring exact positioning or sizing.
Fill
To fill a cup or glass for drinking.
Give me some wine; fill full.
Fit
(transitive) To equip or supply.
The chandler will fit us with provisions for a month.
Fill
A quantity sufficient to satisfy;
He ate his fill of potatoes
She had heard her fill of gossip
Fit
(transitive) To make ready.
I'm fitting the ship for a summer sail home.
Fill
Any material that fills a space or container;
There was not enough fill for the trench
Fit
To be seemly.
Fill
Make full, also in a metaphorical sense;
Fill a container
Fill the child with pride
Fit
To be proper or becoming.
Fill
Become full;
The pool slowly filled with water
The theater filled up slowly
Fit
(intransitive) To be in harmony.
The paint, the fabrics, the rugs all fit.
Fill
Occupy the whole of;
The liquid fills the container
Fit
To suffer a fit.
Fill
Assume, as of positions or roles;
She took the job as director of development
Fit
Fight; fought.
Fill
Fill or meet a want or need
Fit
The degree to which something fits.
This shirt is a bad fit.
Since he put on weight, his jeans have been a tight fit.
Fill
Appoint someone to (a position or a job)
Fit
Conformity of elements one to another.
It's hard to get a good fit using second-hand parts.
Fill
Eat until one is sated;
He filled up on turkey
Fit
The part of an object upon which anything fits tightly.
Fill
Fill to satisfaction;
I am sated
Fit
(advertising) Measure of how well a particular commercial execution captures the character or values of a brand.
The Wonder Bread advertising research results showed the “White Picket Fence” commercial had strong fit ratings.
Fill
Plug with a substance;
Fill a cavity
Fit
(statistics) Goodness of fit.
Fill
To make something full by adding a substance.
She filled the bucket with water.
Fit
(bridge) The quality of a partnership's combined holding of cards in a suit, particularly of trump.
During the auction, it is often a partnership's goal to find an eight-card major suit fit.
Fill
To satisfy or meet a need.
The soup filled him up after a long day.
Fit
(archaic) A section of a poem or ballad.
Fit
A seizure or convulsion.
My grandfather died after having a fit.
Fit
(medicine) A sudden and vigorous appearance of a symptom over a short period of time.
Fit
A sudden outburst of emotion.
He had a laughing fit which lasted more than ten minutes.
She had a fit and threw all of his clothes out through the window.
He threw a fit when his car broke down.
Fit
A sudden burst (of an activity).
Fit
(informal) An outfit, a set of clothing.
How do you like the fit?
Fit
In Old English, a song; a strain; a canto or portion of a ballad; a passus.
To play some pleasant fit.
Fit
The quality of being fit; adjustment; adaptedness; as of dress to the person of the wearer.
Fit
The coincidence of parts that come in contact.
Fit
A stroke or blow.
Curse on that cross, quoth then the Sarazin,That keeps thy body from the bitter fit.
Fit
A sudden and violent attack of a disorder; a stroke of disease, as of epilepsy or apoplexy, which produces convulsions or unconsciousness; a convulsion; a paroxysm; hence, a period of exacerbation of a disease; in general, an attack of disease; as, a fit of sickness.
And when the fit was on him, I did markHow he did shake.
Fit
A mood of any kind which masters or possesses one for a time; a temporary, absorbing affection; a paroxysm; as, a fit of melancholy, of passion, or of laughter.
All fits of pleasure we balanced by an equal degree of pain.
The English, however, were on this subject prone to fits of jealously.
Fit
A passing humor; a caprice; a sudden and unusual effort, activity, or motion, followed by relaxation or inaction; an impulsive and irregular action.
The fits of the season.
Fit
A darting point; a sudden emission.
A tongue of light, a fit of flame.
Fit
Adapted to an end, object, or design; suitable by nature or by art; suited by character, qualitties, circumstances, education, etc.; qualified; competent; worthy.
That which ordinary men are fit for, I am qualified in.
Fit audience find, though few.
Fit
Prepared; ready.
So fit to shoot, she singled forth amongher foes who first her quarry's strength should feel.
Fit
Conformed to a standart of duty, properiety, or taste; convenient; meet; becoming; proper.
Is it fit to say a king, Thou art wicked?
Fit
To make fit or suitable; to adapt to the purpose intended; to qualify; to put into a condition of readiness or preparation.
The time is fitted for the duty.
The very situation for which he was peculiarly fitted by nature.
Fit
To bring to a required form and size; to shape aright; to adapt to a model; to adjust; - said especially of the work of a carpenter, machinist, tailor, etc.
The carpenter . . . marketh it out with a line; he fitteth it with planes.
Fit
To supply with something that is suitable or fit, or that is shaped and adjusted to the use required.
No milliner can so fit his customers with gloves.
Fit
To be suitable to; to answer the requirements of; to be correctly shaped and adjusted to; as, if the coat fits you, put it on.
That's a bountiful answer that fits all questions.
That time best fits the work.
Fit
To be proper or becoming.
Nor fits it to prolong the feast.
Fit
To be adjusted to a particular shape or size; to suit; to be adapted; as, his coat fits very well.
Fit
A display of bad temper;
He had a fit
She threw a tantrum
He made a scene
Fit
A sudden uncontrollable attack;
A paroxysm of giggling
A fit of coughing
Convulsions of laughter
Fit
The manner in which something fits;
I admired the fit of her coat
Fit
A sudden flurry of activity (often for no obvious reason);
A burst of applause
A fit of housecleaning
Fit
Be agreeable or acceptable to;
This suits my needs
Fit
Be the right size or shape; fit correctly or as desired;
This piece won't fit into the puzzle
Fit
Satisfy a condition or restriction;
Does this paper meet the requirements for the degree?
Fit
Make fit;
Fit a dress
He fitted other pieces of paper to his cut-out
Fit
Insert or adjust several objects or people;
Can you fit the toy into the box?
This man can't fit himself into our work environment
Fit
Be compatible, similar or consistent; coincide in their characteristics;
The two stories don't agree in many details
The handwriting checks with the signature on the check
The suspect's fingerprints don't match those on the gun
Fit
Conform to some shape or size;
How does this shirt fit?
Fit
Provide with (something) usually for a specific purpose;
The expedition was equipped with proper clothing, food, and other necessities
Fit
Make correspond or harmonize;
Match my sweater
Fit
Meeting adequate standards for a purpose;
A fit subject for discussion
It is fit and proper that you be there
Water fit to drink
Fit for duty
Do as you see fit to
Fit
(usually followed by `to' or `for') on the point of or strongly disposed;
In no fit state to continue
Fit to drop
Laughing fit to burst
She was fit to scream
Primed for a fight
We are set to go at any time
Fit
Physically and mentally sound or healthy;
Felt relaxed and fit after their holiday
Keeps fit with diet and exercise
Fit
To match or conform to a standard.
The pieces of the puzzle fit together.
Common Curiosities
What does fit mean?
Fit means to be the correct size or shape for something or to be suitable.
Can fit be an adjective?
Yes, fit can be an adjective, as in "She is fit for the role."
How is fill used in a sentence?
Fill is used to describe adding something to reach capacity, e.g., "Fill the tank with gas."
What does fill mean?
Fill means to make something full or to occupy space within something.
Can you fill something that doesn't have a physical form?
Yes, you can fill time or an abstract need, e.g., "Fill your day with joy."
Can fit be used metaphorically?
Yes, fit can be used metaphorically to describe suitability, e.g., "She fits the role perfectly."
Can fill be a noun?
Yes, fill can also be a noun, as in "He got his fill of food."
How is fit used in a sentence?
Fit describes matching size or suitability, e.g., "The dress fits her perfectly."
Does fill imply completion?
Often, yes, fill implies making something complete, e.g., "Fill the cup to the top."
Is fill always about physical space?
No, fill can also refer to occupying time or completing forms, e.g., "Fill out the survey."
Does fit imply correctness?
Yes, fit implies being the right size, shape, or suitability, e.g., "The key fits the lock."
Is fit always about physical size?
No, fit can also mean suitability or compatibility, e.g., "He is a good fit for the team."
Can fit describe how well something meets criteria?
Yes, fit can describe meeting requirements, e.g., "His skills fit the job description."
Can you fill something partially?
Yes, you can fill something partially, e.g., "Fill the glass halfway."
How do fill and fit differ in usage?
Fill focuses on adding or occupying space, while fit emphasizes size, shape, or suitability.
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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
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
