The word "fulfilment" is commonly spelled with two L's in British English, while American English spelling only has one L. The IPA phonetic transcription of this word is /fʊlfɪlmənt/. The first syllable is pronounced with a short "u" sound and a soft "f" followed by the "l" sound. The second syllable has a long "I" sound and the "m" and "n" sounds are often merged into one. The final syllable is pronounced with a soft "t" at the end.
Fulfilment refers to the state or act of achieving satisfaction, contentment, or the realization of a desired outcome or purpose. It is the sense of accomplishment and gratification that follows the completion or attainment of something meaningful or fulfilling.
In a personal context, fulfilment can be experienced when one's goals, dreams, or aspirations are fulfilled, leading to a profound sense of happiness and self-fulfilment. This includes both short-term objectives and long-term life ambitions related to professional success, personal growth, relationships, or self-discovery.
Fulfilment can also be derived from helping others, contributing to society, or making a positive impact in the lives of others. This altruistic aspect implies finding fulfilment not solely in personal achievements but also in acts of service, compassion, and empathy towards others.
Furthermore, fulfilment can be connected to the feeling of aligning one's actions and values with their core beliefs and purpose, resulting in a sense of congruence and harmony in life. It involves living an authentic and fulfilling life, where individuals feel true to themselves and experience a deep sense of satisfaction and meaning.
Overall, fulfilment encompasses the idea of finding completeness and emotional well-being by actively pursuing and attaining personal, professional, social, and existential goals. It signifies a state of contentment, purpose, and accomplishment that enriches an individual's overall quality of life.
The word "fulfilment" comes from the combination of two Old English words: "fulfyllan" and "-ment".
1. "Fulfyllan" is derived from the Old English words "ful" meaning "full" and "fyllan" meaning "to fill". It originally had the sense of "to fill up, make full, or complete".
2. The "-ment" suffix, which is originally from Latin, was added to "fulfyllan" to form a noun denoting the action, result, or state of fulfilling or completing something. This suffix is commonly used in English to create nouns from verbs.
Over time, the spelling of "fulfilment" evolved from "fulfylment" to its present form.