What does refuelled mean?
“Refuelled” is the past tense and past participle of “refuel,” meaning supplied with fuel again or receiving a fresh supply of fuel. It is especially common in aviation, transport, and reports of journeys involving stops for fuel: an aircraft may be refuelled at an airport, while a driver may refuel a car at a petrol station. The word can describe the action performed by staff or machinery, as in “the vehicle was refuelled,” or the action of a vehicle receiving fuel, as in “the plane refuelled in Dublin.” The British and Canadian spelling has two l’s, while American English normally uses “refueled.” Although primarily practical and technical, the word has a broader figurative use in which energy, confidence, or resources are renewed. In its literal sense, “refuelled” precisely conveys replenishment with the fuel needed to continue a journey.
To supply a vehicle, aircraft, or other machine with fuel again, or to receive fuel again.
"The tanker truck refuelled the generator at the construction site."
The verb can be transitive or intransitive; “refuelled the aircraft” describes the action performed, while “the aircraft refuelled in Helsinki” describes it receiving fuel.
Having been supplied with fuel again.
"The refuelled aircraft was cleared for departure."
This is a participial adjective and is usually used attributively in transport or technical contexts.
British English doubles the L in “refuelled,” while American English usually writes “refueled.”
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does refuelled come from?
“Refuelled” is formed from the prefix re-, meaning again, and “fuel,” with the verb-forming suffix -ed. The related verb “refuel” developed in the early twentieth century as a back-formation associated with “refuelling” and “refuelled.” Its spelling follows the usual British pattern of doubling the final consonant before a suffix beginning with a vowel, while American English generally retains a single l.
Related word forms
How refuelled is actually used
The form is neutral and technical, appearing in transport, aviation, and everyday reporting. In British and Canadian English, the usual spelling has two l’s; American English generally uses one l, as in “refueled.”
Easily confused with refuelled
“Refuelled” means supplied with fuel again, whereas “refused” means declined an offer or request.