Word
accomplish
Phoneticsac·com·plish, stress on the second syllable
US/əˈkɑmpɫɪʃ/
UK/ɐkˈɒmplɪʃ/
Definitions
01to finish successfully
B2 · Upper Intermediate
v. to succeed in doing something you planned to do.
v. to achieve or complete a task or objective successfully. Transitive; requires a direct object representing the goal or task.
“If we work together, we can accomplish our goals much faster.”
“The research team managed to accomplish the entire project within the strict budgetary constraints set by the board of directors.”
Pitfall
I accomplished to finish the report.
I accomplished the task of finishing the report.
Unlike 'manage' or 'succeed', 'accomplish' is followed by a noun or a gerund phrase, not a 'to' infinitive.
02to fill out a form
B2 · Upper Intermediate Dialect
v. to complete or fill in a document or form.
v. to complete a form or document by providing the required information.
“Please accomplish the registration form before you enter the hall.”
“The applicants were instructed to accomplish the health declaration forms accurately before proceeding to the interview room.”
Teaching tip
In most other varieties of English, speakers use 'fill out' or 'complete' for forms; 'accomplish' in this context may sound confusing to non-local speakers.
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “accomplish” in context.
Verb
01. accomplish goal
“If we work together as a team, we can accomplish our goal of finishing the project by Friday.”
verb + noun
Usage
The verb is transitive and takes a direct object.
Real-World Examples
“The judge gave Reddington one hour to accomplish his task.” “Internationally, there was little left for him to accomplish.” Etymology
From Middle English accomplisshen, acomplissen, from Old French acompliss-, extended stem of acomplir (Modern French accomplir), from Vulgar Latin *(ac)complīre, from Latin complēre (“fill up/out, complete”, whence English complete). First attested in the late 14th century.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- B2 · Upper IntermediateOxford
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/accomplish