unfulfilled

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   not carried out, achieved, supplied, or brought to completion

   The expedition ended with its main objective unfulfilled.

2. 2
   adj

   feeling that one's abilities, needs, or ambitions have not been realized

   Despite her promotion, she felt unfulfilled by work that offered no creative freedom.

Formed from un- ('not') + fulfilled, the past participle of fulfill. Fulfill descends from Old English fullfyllan, literally 'fill full' or 'carry into effect.' The personal sense extends an unrealized promise or task to needs, talents, and ambitions that have not been fully realized.

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