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Meaning & use

fills up

verb·Everyday

Last updated

UK/fɪlz ˈʌp/
US/fɪlz ˈʌp/

“fills up” is a form of “fill up”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.

Meanings

  1. verbtransitive or intransitive

    To become full, or to make something completely full.

    Grammar: Can be used with an object (fill up the tank) or without (the tank fills up). Often used with 'with' to say what fills something.

    Patterns

    • fill up something
    • fill something up
    • fill up with something

    The car's gas tank fills up quickly when you're on a long trip.

    She always fills up her water bottle before leaving the house.

    The stadium fills up with fans an hour before the game starts.

  2. verbintransitiveinformal

    To eat until you are completely full.

    Grammar: No object; often used in the phrase 'fill up on' to mention the food eaten.

    Patterns

    • fill up on something

    Don't fill up on bread before dinner.

    I filled up on snacks at the party and couldn't eat any cake.

Word forms

base formfill up
third person singularfills up
past tensefilled up
past participlefilled up
-ing formfilling up

Common combinations

fill up the tank
We need to fill up the tank before we hit the highway.
fill up with gas
The car filled up with gas in just a few minutes.
fill up on snacks
The kids filled up on snacks and didn't want dinner.
fill up quickly
The parking lot fills up quickly on weekends.

Synonyms and how they differ

fill
Simpler and more general; 'fill up' often suggests reaching the top or the limit.
top up
Used especially for adding to something that is already partly full, like a drink or a phone credit.

Opposites

emptydrain

Word family

fill verb
To make something full or to become full.
filling noun
A substance put inside something, especially food like a sandwich.
full adjective
Containing as much as possible; completely filled.

Commonly confused: fills up or feel up?

fills up vs feel up

A different phrasal verb with a similar sound, but it means to touch someone sexually and is often offensive.

Practice

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