Fulfil vs Overfulfil - What's the difference?

As verbs the difference between fulfil and overfulfil

is that fulfil is (archaic) to fill up while overfulfil is to do more than is necessary to fulfil something.

* (US)

(fulfill)

(archaic) To fill up.

My lady is positively fulfilled of grace.

* 1870 , James Thomson,

The silence which benumbs or strains the sense

Fulfils with awe the soul's despair unweeping

To satisfy, carry out, bring to completion (an obligation, a requirement, etc.).

You made a promise, son, and now you must fulfil it.

To emotionally or artistically satisfy; to develop one's gifts to the fullest.

This job fulfils me in a way my last one never did.

To obey, follow, comply with (a rule, requirement etc.).

Unfortunately, you don't fulfil the criteria for extra grants at the present time.

* (UK) - fulfilment, fulfilled, fulfilling, fulfillable * unfulfilled

(overfulfill)

To do more than is necessary to fulfil something