unfulfilled

unfulfilled

UK[ˌʌnfʊlˈfɪld]US[ˌʌnfʊlˈfɪld]
adj

not having achieved one's desires or potential

adj

not carried out or brought to completion

Morpheme Breakdown

un
fulfill
ed
un

not

fulfill

to carry out, to satisfy

ed

adjective suffix

Etymology

the word 'unfulfilled' is a modern english formation built upon the older verb 'fulfill'. 'fulfill' itself originates from old english 'fullfyllan', a compound of 'full' (complete) and 'fyllan' (to fill), conveying the literal sense of "to fill full" or complete a task or condition. the negative prefix 'un-', of germanic origin, is attached to negate the state, creating the sense of "not completed" or "not satisfied." the adjectival suffix '-ed' is then added, deriving from the past participle form, to describe the resulting state of something that has not been achieved, realized, or brought to fruition.

Analysis

Structure: un (not) + fulfill (to carry out, to satisfy) + ed (adjective suffix) un: a prefix of germanic origin, meaning "not" or "opposite of". fulfill: a verb of old english origin, from 'full' (complete) + 'fyllan' (to fill). ed: a suffix of old english origin, used to form adjectives from verbs, indicating a state or condition.

Examples

she was left with a sense of unfulfilled ambition.

many of the promises made during the campaign remain unfulfilled.

he lived an unfulfilled life, always dreaming but never acting.