fill out

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.

• IPA^(key): /fɪl ˈaʊt/

• Audio (US):

  (file)

• Rhymes: -aʊt
• Hyphenation: fill out

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.
   • 1749, Henry Fielding, The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling, volumes (please specify |volume=I to VI), London: A Millar, , →OCLC:

     The other lady, […] filling out a very large glass of wine, advised, and at last prevailed with her to drink it.

4. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see fill,‎ out.

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

• toilful