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fill in

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phrasal verb
Word Forms
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present tense
I/you/we/theyfill in
he/she/itfills in
present participlefilling in
past tensefilled in
past participlefilled in

Related dictionary definitions

  1. 1
    [transitive] to add information such as your name or address in the empty spaces on an official document

    Please fill in your name and address in the space provided.

    I spent over two hours filling in the application form.

    Fill in the missing words.

    fill in the blanks (=to give or learn information that is needed in order to understand something properly):

    We know roughly how the system works, but Brian is here to fill in the blanks.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  fill inThesaurus entry for this meaning of fill in
  2. 2
    [transitive] same as fill (sense 3)

    The canal is now disused and partly filled in.

  3. 3
    [transitive] fill someone in informal to give someone details about something

    Did Sam fill you in about the new project?

    My secretary will fill you in on the details.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  fill inThesaurus entry for this meaning of fill in
  4. 4
    [intransitive] to do someone’s job for them while they are away
    fill in for:

    I’m filling in for the receptionist at the moment.

    Thesaurus entry for this meaning of  fill inThesaurus entry for this meaning of fill in

This is the British English definition of fill in. View American English definition of fill in.

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