achieve
- 01 B1 Intermediate
to do well in school or at work.
to perform at a high level of success, particularly in an educational or professional context.
Simple“The school provides extra help for students who are not achieving as well as they could.”
In context“The university's primary mission is to ensure that every student has the resources necessary to achieve at the highest level of their discipline.”
UsageOften used intransitively to describe a person's general level of performance.
- 02 C1 Advanced
to get something you want, like fame or a high position.
to gain or obtain a specific status or material result through exertion.
Simple“He achieved great fame after his first book was published.”
In context“Through years of careful political maneuvering, she finally achieved the status of senior partner within the firm.”
Usage achieve aim · achieve by · achieve effect
From Middle English achieven, acheven, from Anglo-Norman achever, Old French achever, achiever et al., apparently from Late Latin *accapāre, from ad (“to”) + caput (“head”) + -ō (verbal suffix), or alternatively a construction based on Old French chief (“head”). Compare Catalan, Occitan, Portuguese and Spanish acabar, French achever.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.