1 A2 neutral
To make a container or space completely full by adding something.
"I need to fill up the car before we start the long drive."
separable
fill up
A2 neutral separable transitive/intransitive
To make a container or space completely full, or to become completely full.
In plain English
To put enough in something so it's totally full.
What does "fill up" mean?
3 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 A2 neutral
To become completely full, often said of a space filling with people.
"The stadium filled up quickly once the gates opened."
inseparable
3 B1 idiomatic informal
To eat or drink until one feels full and satisfied.
"Fill up on pasta before the race — you'll need the energy."
inseparable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To fill something until it reaches the top.
Actually means
To put enough in something so it's totally full.
Usage tip
Extremely common in everyday contexts: filling up a car with petrol, filling up a glass, or a room filling up with people. When referring to eating, it means to eat until you are no longer hungry. The object can be inserted ('fill the tank up') or placed after the particle ('fill up the tank').
Words that pair with "fill up"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
tank glass room stomach bucket reservoir
How to conjugate "fill up"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
fill up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
fills up
he/she/it
Past simple
filled up
yesterday
Past participle
filled up
have + pp
-ing form
filling up
continuous
Hear "fill up" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "fill up" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Keep exploring
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