See also: fill-out

English edit

Etymology edit

In the sense of “complete a form” originally attested in American English, possibly as a calque of German ausfüllen. Later spread to British English, where it now competes with the traditional expression fill in.

Pronunciation edit

  • IPA(key): /fɪl ˈaʊt/
  • (file)
  • Rhymes: -aʊt
  • Hyphenation: fill out

Verb edit

fill out (third-person singular simple present fills out, present participle filling out, simple past and past participle filled out)

  1. (transitive) To complete a form or questionnaire with requested information.
    Synonyms: complete, fill in, populate
    Please fill out this application if you are interested in the job.
  2. (intransitive) To have one's physique expand with maturity or with surplus weight.
    Hyponym: round out
    He began to fill out once he started college.
    • 2008 October, David Schipper, “Outsmart your stomach: Seven ways to fill your gut—and lose it, too”, in Men's Health, volume 23, number 8, →ISSN, page 135:
      We've scoured these science and tapped the top experts to help you learn how to do just that. Use these seven simple strategies, and you'll fill up without filling out.
  3. (transitive, obsolete) To fill up; to make full.

Translations edit

References edit

  • Locher, Miriam A.; Strässler, Jürg. 2008. Standards and norms in the English language. New York: De Gruyer. Page 26.

Anagrams edit