"fill in" and "fill out"

[Lion1]

hi my great teachers!

Via my study, i frequently meet the words Fill in & Fill out

is there any difference use or meaning of the both?

Thanks in advance!!

Lion

[Mister Micawber]

.
As far as forms are concerned, you can fill one in or fill one out, with no change in meaning:

I filled in [all of the empty spaces of] the application form.
I filled out [out=completely] the application form.

It does not necessarily work in other situations, though:

I filled in the sandpit.
(X) I filled out the sandpit.

(X) My, your sister has certainly filled in!
My, your sister has certainly fillled out!
.
_________________
Canadian-American native speaker
who teaches English for a living at Mister Micawber's
ESL cafe: Interview with Mr. Micawber

[Tom]

Mr. Micawber wrote:

[Yankee]

[Mister Micawber]

.
Sorry, I seem to have slipped an extra L into the word, Tom, but 'to fill out' when speaking of a girl means to attain adult physical proportions.

Discreetly enough put, Yank?
.
_________________
Canadian-American native speaker
who teaches English for a living at Mister Micawber's
ESL cafe: Interview with Mr. Micawber

[Yankee]

That was amazingly discreetly put.
_________________
Amy
.
ESL teacher, translator, and a native speaker of American English