Cool MateFulfil vs Meet
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Fulfil
Top 2,000 (common)B2verb
Meet
Top 1,000 (very common)A1verb
Most common: Meet
| Fulfil | Meet | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/fʊlˈfɪl/","/fʊlˈfɪlz/","/fʊlˈfɪld/","/fʊlˈfɪlɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/fʊlˈfɪl/","/fʊlˈfɪlz/","/fʊlˈfɪld/","/fʊlˈfɪlɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/miːt/","/miːts/","/met/","/ˈmiːtɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/miːt/","/miːts/","/met/","/ˈmiːtɪŋ/"]/ |
| Meaning | to make something happen or to do what is required | To see and talk to someone for the first time. |
| Example | She was able to fulfil all the requirements for the scholarship. | I will meet my friend at the park tomorrow. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | A1 |
| Part of speech | verb | verb |
| Collocations | really, completely, not quite, be able to, be unable to, can, really, completely, not quite, be able to, be unable to, can, really, completely, not quite, be able to, be unable to, can | first, regularly, once, arrange to, chance to, happen to, at, for, with, look forward to meeting somebody, nice to meet you, pleased to meet you, first, regularly, once, arrange to, chance to, happen to, at, for, with, look forward to meeting somebody, nice to meet you, pleased to meet you, first, regularly, once, arrange to, chance to, happen to, at, for, with, look forward to meeting somebody, nice to meet you, pleased to meet you, head-on, be able to, can, be unable to |
| Antonyms | fail, neglect | depart, leave, part |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'fill'., Incorrectly using 'fulfil' without an object., Using 'fulfil' in informal speech. | 'Meet' used without an object, e.g., saying 'I will meet' instead of 'I will meet you.', Confused with 'met,' the past tense form., Using 'meet' when you mean 'met' when talking about past events. |
| Usage notes | Use 'fulfil' in formal or neutral contexts, such as completing a promise or a requirement. Avoid in casual conversations where simpler terms like 'do' or 'complete' might fit better. | Use 'meet' when you are seeing someone that you have not seen before or when introducing people. Not usually used in very formal contexts like business meetings. |
Frequently asked questions: Fulfil vs Meet
What's the difference between Fulfil and Meet?
Fulfil: to make something happen or to do what is required Meet: To see and talk to someone for the first time.
Which is more common: Fulfil and Meet?
Meet is the most common in everyday English.
Which is more advanced: Fulfil and Meet?
Fulfil is the highest level, at B2, on the CEFR scale.
Are Fulfil and Meet the same CEFR level?
Fulfil: B2, Meet: A1 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Fulfil and Meet?
Fulfil: verb, Meet: verb.
Can you show an example of each?
Fulfil: She was able to fulfil all the requirements for the scholarship. Meet: I will meet my friend at the park tomorrow.
Can I use Fulfil and Meet interchangeably?
Not always. Fulfil and Meet are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.