3 syllables: ful, fil, ment. Stress on fil.
fuul-FIL-muhnt
/fʊlˈfɪlmənt/
fulfilment is pronounced fuul-FIL-muhnt (/fʊlˈfɪlmənt/). It has three syllables (ful-fil-ment), with the stress on "fil". Fulfilment (or fulfillment in American English) refers to the achievement or satisfaction of a need, desire, or promise. It also denotes the act of completing something, such as a task, order, or contract. The term often carries a sense of personal or institutional fulfillment, implying a successful realization of goals or duties.
Fulfilment (or fulfillment in American English) refers to the achievement or satisfaction of a need, desire, or promise. It also denotes the act of completing something, such as a task, order, or contract. The term often carries a sense of personal or institutional fulfillment, implying a successful realization of goals or duties.
"The fulfilment of her long‑standing plan brought a deep sense of pride."
"Online retailers ship quickly, but the true fulfilment comes when the customer is delighted with the service."
"Career fulfilment can depend as much on meaningful work as on salary."
Pronounce as /fʊlˈfɪlˌmənt/ (US), /fʊlˈfɪl.mənt/ (UK) with primary stress on the second syllable 'FIL'. Start with a short, rounded 'u' in 'ful', then a clear 'FIL' with an L-tap to the next syllable, and a light 'ment' ending. Think: 'full-FILL-ment' but with a short 'i' vowel in the middle. IPA references: US /fʊlˈfɪlmənt/, UK /fʊlˈfɪlmənt/. Audio guidance available on reputable dictionaries and platforms like Pronounce and Forvo.
Common errors: 1) Slurring the middle syllable or reducing /ˈfɪl/ to a quick schwa; 2) Misplacing stress as ful-FIL-ment? Actually the stress is on the second syllable; ensure you strongly stress the 'FIL' syllable; 3) Pronouncing the ending as 'ment' with a hard 't' or no nasal link; aim for a light -ment with final alveolar stop and a touch of nasalization if consonant cluster is challenging. Correct by isolating the middle syllable: ful-FIL-ment, then practice linking to final 'ment'.
In US English, the pronunciation is /ˈfʊl.fɪl.mənt/ but commonly /fʊlˈfɪl.mənt/ with primary stress on the second syllable; in British English, /ˈfʊl.fɪl.mənt/ or /fʊlˈfɪl.mənt/ with similar stress but a crisper final -t; Australian English closely mirrors UK, with non-rhotic tendencies: /fʊlˈfɪl.mənt/. Differences lie in vowel quality: rhoticity is minimal in UK/AU; US may show a lighter or more flapped L in rapid speech.
Because the word bundles three consonants after a short vowel: the sequence 'l-fɪl' requires quick, precise tongue movement to avoid a run-together sound. The middle /ɪ/ vowel is short and can reduce in rapid speech, making the 'fil' cluster tricky. Also, the final /mənt/ can blur into /mənt/ or /mən/. Focus on keeping the syllable boundary clear: ful-FIL-ment, with a crisp, light -ment ending.
Tip: practice the transition from /l/ to /f/ and then to /l/ in 'ful', 'fil', and 'ment'. The common trap is turning /fɪl/ into /fɪl/ slurred; instead, ensure a brief, light lift of the tongue for the /l/ before the /m/. Use a held /l/ sound on the middle syllable, then a clear alveolar /t/ with trailing nasalization.
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Fulfilment comes from the verb fulfil (British English spelling) or fulfill (American English). The root is Old French fel, later formed with the verb fam, though the precise path is complex; originally, the concept connected with filling or satisfying a requirement. By Middle English, fulfill began to be used in sense of carrying out an obligation or completing a task, with the noun form fulfilment emerging to denote the state or act of fulfilling. The modern distinction between British fulfilment and American fulfillment emerged due to standardization of spelling in the 19th century—British English favored -L-L- and -L-L- endings, while American English tended toward -L-L- as well, though with the -fill pattern. The term has long been used in legal, commercial, and psychological contexts, evolving to include personal fulfillment and the sense of achieving a desired outcome. First known uses traceable in 15th–16th century English texts, with widespread usage in 17th–19th centuries as the concept of fulfilling duties and promises solidified in contract law and moral philosophy. Modern usage frequently appears in business, consumer, and self-help discourse, where psychological and existential dimensions of fulfilment are emphasized as a measure of success beyond material gain.
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Words that rhyme with "fulfilment"
-ent sounds
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