fill

When you put something into a place or into an object, you "fill" it.

• The server filled my glass with water.
• You should fill your gas tank soon. It’s almost empty.
• Fill it up? (This question is often used at gas stations when the attendant asks you if you want to a full tank of gas.)
• I filled my bowl with cereal.
• His pockets are filled with change.
• The auditorium is filled with people.

When the word "fill" is used with the preposition "in" or "out," it describes the action of writing something on a form or on empty lines:

• You have to fill out this form with personal information. (You need to provide your name, address, phone number, etc.)
• John filled out an application.
• Sarah filled out an entry form for a contest.
• Make sure you fill in all the blanks on the test. (You have to provide answers on blank lines.)
• I forgot to fill in a few blanks on an online form, so it was rejected.

"Fill in" is an idiom that means to provide information:

• What’s the problem? Can you fill me in?
• Please fill him in on how to operate this machine.
• Our supervisor filled us in on the new health care program at work.

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First published on March 3, 2012.