# achieve

/əˈtʃiv/ (US) · /ɐtʃˈiːv/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/achieve
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 2. academic or professional success

verb · CEFR B1 · Academic

to do well in school or at work.

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

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

### 3. to obtain something

verb · CEFR C1 · Literary · Formal

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

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

- He achieved great fame after his first book was published.
- Through years of careful political maneuvering, she finally achieved the status of senior partner within the firm.

## Examples

- She worked hard to achieve her dream of becoming a doctor.
- The team managed to achieve all their sales targets despite the difficult economic conditions this quarter.
- While many students focus solely on grades, the most successful individuals are those who achieve a balance between academic excellence and personal well-being.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.