Word
arrive
Phoneticsar·rive, stress on the second syllable
US/ɝˈaɪv/
UK/ɐɹˈaɪv/
Definitions
01to reach a place
A1 · Beginner
v. to reach a place at the end of a journey.
v. to reach a destination at the conclusion of a journey or movement.
日本語:到着する※
“The train should arrive at the platform in ten minutes.”
“Despite the heavy snowfall and several mechanical delays, the delegation finally arrived at the embassy just before the gala commenced.”
02to become successful
B2 · Upper Intermediate
v. to finally achieve success or become famous.
v. to achieve a position of success, fame, or social status.
“After years of hard work, she felt she had finally arrived in the fashion world.”
“With his latest exhibition receiving critical acclaim in Paris, the young sculptor felt he had truly arrived on the international art scene.”
Antonyms
03to happen or come
B1 · Intermediate
v. to happen or start, especially when talking about a time or an event.
v. to occur or come into existence; used of time, seasons, or anticipated events.
日本語:来る※
“Spring has finally arrived after a very long and cold winter.”
“The moment of truth had arrived, and the researchers prepared to reveal the results of their decade-long study to the public.”
04sexual climax
C2 · Proficiency Slang · Vulgar · British English
v. to reach the peak of sexual pleasure.
v. to achieve a sexual orgasm.
“The scene in the adult movie showed the couple arriving at the same time.”
“The author used the euphemism 'arriving' to describe the character's climax in the erotic novel.”
Teaching tip
This sense is highly informal and potentially offensive; learners should be aware of it to avoid accidental misuse in polite company.
Usage
Intransitive verb; requires the preposition 'at' for specific locations or 'in' for cities and countries.
Pitfall
arrive to London
arrive in London
Learners often use 'to' because of the movement involved, but 'arrive' requires 'in' for cities/countries or 'at' for specific buildings.
Confusables
Arrive focuses on the moment of appearance at a destination and requires a preposition, while reach focuses on the effort or distance covered and takes a direct object.
RememberArrive at a place; reach a goal.
Etymology
From Middle English arriven, ariven, from Old French ariver, from Early Medieval Latin adrīpāre (“to land, come ashore”), derived from Latin rīpa (“shore, river-bank”). Displaced native oncome, tocome. For the semantic evolution, compare Old English ġelandian, ġelendan, lendan (“to arrive at land; land”) > Middle English alenden, landen (“to arrive; arrive at shore; land”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
Idioms
01. arrive at
- 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.A1 MoversIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.2.0–3.0TOEFL 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: 1.0–1.50–23TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.120–224
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- A1 · BeginnerOxford
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/arrive
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「日本語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0