Word
achieve
US/əˈtʃiv/
UK/ɐtʃˈiːv/
Definitions
01to reach a goal
A2 · Elementary General-service
v. to succeed in reaching a goal or getting a result by working hard.
v. to attain a desired objective or result through effort, skill, or perseverance.
“She worked very hard for many years to achieve her dream of becoming a doctor.”
“The research team finally achieved a breakthrough after three years of unsuccessful experiments and limited funding.”
Usage
Transitive; requires a direct object such as 'goal', 'success', or 'result'.
Pitfall
He achieved to pass the exam.
He achieved his goal of passing the exam.
Achieve is usually followed by a noun phrase, not an infinitive verb. Use 'succeed in doing' or 'manage to do' for actions.
02to complete a task
B1 · Intermediate Academic
v. to finish a difficult task or piece of work successfully.
v. to carry out or conclude a task, mission, or requirement successfully.
“The team achieved all their targets for the month before the deadline.”
“The department achieved its primary objectives for the fiscal year despite significant budgetary constraints and staff turnover.”
Synonyms
03to be successful generally
B2 · Upper Intermediate
v. to be successful in your work or at school.
v. to perform at a high level or reach a standard of success, particularly in an educational or professional context.
“Some students achieve more when they can study in a quiet environment.”
“The new educational policy aims to support children from disadvantaged backgrounds to achieve at the same level as their peers.”
Usage
Often used intransitively to describe a person's general level of success.
Antonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “achieve” in context.
Etymology
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.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
- 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.A2 KeyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.3.0–4.0TOEFL 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: 2.0–2.524–43TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.225–549
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- A2 · ElementaryOxford
- Updated
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