Filling vs. Filing: What's the Difference?

Edited by Huma Saeed || By Sawaira Riaz || Published on October 11, 2023
Filling is adding or placing material inside something; Filing is arranging or submitting documents systematically.

Key Differences
Filling is the act of putting something inside to occupy space, often to capacity. It can refer to substances, materials, or content used to fill a particular space or container. On the other hand, Filing relates to documents or records and the method by which they are organized or stored.

Sawaira Riaz
Oct 11, 2023
Filling can refer to the content inside pastries, cushions, teeth, or any other space. This could be cream in a doughnut or cotton in a pillow. Filing, in its common form, relates to office procedures, where papers are arranged in a specific order, typically in folders or digital systems.

Sawaira Riaz
Oct 11, 2023
Filling has a more tactile, material-focused connotation. It involves physical substances and materials that fill up spaces, voids, or gaps. In contrast, Filing is an act of organization, categorizing, or submitting. It’s about creating a system or order, primarily for documents.

Sawaira Riaz
Oct 11, 2023
When a dentist talks about Filling, they are referring to the material used to fill cavities in teeth. However, when that same dentist is talking about Filing, they might be discussing the process of keeping patient records in order.

Janet White
Oct 11, 2023
While Filling is about completing or making something whole by adding content, Filing ensures that recor

Janet White
Oct 11, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Primary Use
Adding or placing material inside something
Arranging or submitting documents systematically

Sawaira Riaz
Oct 11, 2023
Contextual Examples
Pastries, teeth, cushions
Offices, legal systems, cabinets

Sawaira Riaz
Oct 11, 2023
Associated Actions
Inserting, stuffing, completing
Organizing, categorizing, storing

Sawaira Riaz
Oct 11, 2023
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Filling and Filing Definitions
Filing
Act of organizing and storing documents.
The office is responsible for filing all paperwork.

Harlon Moss
Oct 09, 2023
Filling
Material used to fill cavities in teeth.
I had a filling done at the dentist today.

Aimie Carlson
Oct 09, 2023
Filing
A collection of related documents.
The filing for that project is in the top drawer.

Sawaira Riaz
Oct 09, 2023
Filling
Ingredient inside pastries or sandwiches.
The pie has an apple filling.

Aimie Carlson
Oct 09, 2023
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Filing
A container, such as a cabinet or folder, for keeping papers in order.

Sawaira Riaz
Oct 08, 2023
Filling
Substance placed inside something.
The filling of the pillow is feathers.

Janet White
Oct 09, 2023
Filing
A collection of papers or published materials kept or arranged in convenient order.

Sawaira Riaz
Oct 08, 2023
Filing
(Computers) A collection of data or program records stored as a unit with a single name.

Sawaira Riaz
Oct 08, 2023
Filling
Something used to fill a space, cavity, or container
A gold filling in a tooth.

Sawaira Riaz
Oct 08, 2023
Filing
A line of persons, animals, or things positioned one behind the other.

Sawaira Riaz
Oct 08, 2023
Filling
An edible mixture used to fill pastries, sandwiches, or cakes. See Note at frosting.

Sawaira Riaz
Oct 08, 2023
Filing
(Games) Any of the rows of squares that run forward and backward between players on a playing board in chess or checkers.

Sawaira Riaz
Oct 08, 2023
Filling
Of food, that satisfies the appetite by filling the stomach.
A filling meal

Sawaira Riaz
Oct 08, 2023
Filing
An official document that is filed with a court, government agency, or other legal or political institution.

Sawaira Riaz
Oct 08, 2023
Filing
Any of several hardened steel tools with cutting ridges for forming, smoothing, or reducing especially metallic surfaces.

Sawaira Riaz
Oct 08, 2023
Filling
(dentistry) Any material used to fill a cavity in a tooth or the result of using such material.
I will be using a rapid-setting cement filling.
My temporary filling fell out and got lost.

Sawaira Riaz
Oct 08, 2023
Filling
(Protestantism) A religious experience attributed to the Holy Ghost "filling" a believer.

Sawaira Riaz
Oct 08, 2023
Filing
To put or keep (papers, for example) in useful order for storage or reference.

Sawaira Riaz
Oct 08, 2023
Filling
That which is used to fill a cavity or any empty space, or to supply a deficiency; as, filling for a cavity in a tooth, a depression in a roadbed, the space between exterior and interior walls of masonry, the pores of open-grained wood, the space between the outer and inner planks of a vessel, etc.

Sawaira Riaz
Oct 08, 2023
Filling
Any material that fills a space or container;
There was not enough fill for the trench

Sawaira Riaz
Oct 08, 2023
Filling
(dentistry) a dental appliance consisting of any of various substances (as metal or plastic) inserted into a prepared cavity in a tooth;
When he yawned I could see the gold fillings in his teeth
An informal British term for `filling' is `stopping'

Sawaira Riaz
Oct 08, 2023
Filing
To make application; apply
Filed for a job with the state.
File for a divorce.

Sawaira Riaz
Oct 08, 2023
Filing
Any particle that has been removed by a file or similar implement; a shaving.
The process left metal filings all over the bench and the part.

Sawaira Riaz
Oct 08, 2023
Filing
A fragment or particle rubbed off by the act of filing; as, iron filings.

Sawaira Riaz
Oct 08, 2023
Filing
The entering of a legal document into the public record;
He filed a complaint
He filed his tax return

Sawaira Riaz
Oct 08, 2023
Filing
Preservation and methodical arrangement as of documents and papers etc.;
I have some filing to do

Sawaira Riaz
Oct 08, 2023
Filing
A tool to smooth or shape material.
I used a filing to smoothen the wood.

Harlon Moss
Oct 09, 2023
FAQs
What's the main idea behind Filing?
Filing involves organizing or submitting documents systematically.

Sawaira Riaz
Oct 11, 2023
Is Filing always about paperwork?
No, it can also refer to using a tool on materials, like wood or metal.

Sawaira Riaz
Oct 11, 2023
What is the primary meaning of Filling?
Filling refers to a substance or material placed inside something.

Sawaira Riaz
Oct 11, 2023
Can Filling be related to food?
Yes, such as the cream in a doughnut or the meat in a sandwich.

Sawaira Riaz
Oct 11, 2023
Are fillings always solid?
No, they can be liquid, like a filling in a beverage bottle.

Sawaira Riaz
Oct 11, 2023
Can Filing refer to a collection of documents?
Yes, it can denote a set of related records or papers.

Sara Rehman
Oct 11, 2023
How is Filling used in dentistry?
It's a material used to fill cavities or repair teeth.

Sawaira Riaz
Oct 11, 2023
Is Filing always done physically?
No, digital files on computers are also organized by filing.

Sara Rehman
Oct 11, 2023
What's a common use of Filling in homes?
Cushions and pillows often have different types of filling for comfort.

Sara Rehman
Oct 11, 2023
Can Filing mean submitting something?
Yes, such as filing a complaint or filing taxes.

Harlon Moss
Oct 11, 2023
How is Filling related to tanks or reservoirs?
It refers to the process of adding liquid or gas until full.

Aimie Carlson
Oct 11, 2023
Where do you often hear about Filing in a legal sense?
When submitting documents or motions in court.

Sawaira Riaz
Oct 11, 2023
Is a filling always visible?
No, fillings can be internal and not seen, like in some toys or furniture.

Janet White
Oct 11, 2023
Can the act of Filling be about satisfaction?
Yes, like filling a need or desire.

Janet White
Oct 11, 2023
Can Filling be associated with clothing?
Yes, especially when talking about materials inside garments for warmth.

Sawaira Riaz
Oct 11, 2023
What's the connection between Filling and gaps?
Filling can be used to fill or cover up spaces, voids, or gaps.

Sara Rehman
Oct 11, 2023
How is Filing related to order?
Filing creates a systematic order, making access to documents easier.

Sara Rehman
Oct 11, 2023
What's a common tool associated with Filing?
A file, often used to smoothen or shape material.

Janet White
Oct 11, 2023
About Author
Written by
Sawaira RiazSawaira is a dedicated content editor at difference.wiki, where she meticulously refines articles to ensure clarity and accuracy. With a keen eye for detail, she upholds the site's commitment to delivering insightful and precise content.

Edited by
Huma SaeedHuma is a renowned researcher acclaimed for her innovative work in Difference Wiki. Her dedication has led to key breakthroughs, establishing her prominence in academia. Her contributions continually inspire and guide her field.
