What does "achieve" mean?

1. (academic or professional success) to do well in school or at work. 2. (to obtain something) to get something you want, like fame or a high position.

How do you use "achieve"?

Often used intransitively to describe a person's general level of performance.

achieve

US //əˈtʃiv// UK //ɐtʃˈiːv// achieve

1 academic or professional success (v.)
B1 Intermediate Academic

to do well in school or at work.

to perform at a high level of success, particularly in an educational or professional context.

Example

The school provides extra help for students who are not achieving as well as they could.

Example

The university's primary mission is to ensure that every student has the resources necessary to achieve at the highest level of their discipline.

Usage

Often used intransitively to describe a person's general level of performance.
- excel
- succeed
- underperform
2 to obtain something (v.)
C1 Advanced Literary Formal

to get something you want, like fame or a high position.

to gain or obtain a specific status or material result through exertion.

Example

He achieved great fame after his first book was published.

Example

Through years of careful political maneuvering, she finally achieved the status of senior partner within the firm.
- forfeit

Origin

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.

Word family

Verbachieve
Nounachievement
Adjectiveachievable