accomplish
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
to succeed in doing something you planned to do.
to achieve or complete a task or objective successfully. Transitive; requires a direct object representing the goal or task.
Simple“If we work together, we can accomplish our goals much faster.”
In context“The research team managed to accomplish the entire project within the strict budgetary constraints set by the board of directors.”
PitfallI 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.
- 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
to complete or fill in a document or form.
to complete a form or document by providing the required information.
Simple“Please accomplish the registration form before you enter the hall.”
In context“The applicants were instructed to accomplish the health declaration forms accurately before proceeding to the interview room.”
Teacher's tipIn most other varieties of English, speakers use 'fill out' or 'complete' for forms; 'accomplish' in this context may sound confusing to non-local speakers.
The verb is transitive and takes a direct object.
Usage accomplish goal
“The judge gave Reddington one hour to accomplish his task.”
“Internationally, there was little left for him to accomplish.”
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.