Word
attain
Phoneticsat·tain, stress on the second syllable
US/əˈteɪn/
UK/ɐtˈeɪn/
Definitions
01to achieve a goal
C1 · Advanced Formal · Academic
v. to succeed in getting something you want, usually after a lot of effort.
v. to achieve or accomplish a desired goal or objective through sustained effort. Transitive — requires a direct object representing the achievement.
“After years of hard work, she finally attained her goal of becoming a doctor.”
“The organisation has struggled to attain its carbon-neutrality targets despite significant investment in renewable infrastructure over the last decade.”
Synonyms
02to reach a level or age
C1 · Advanced Formal
v. to reach a particular level, age, or condition.
v. to reach or arrive at a specific state, degree, or milestone, often through natural progression or growth.
“The tree can attain a height of over thirty metres in the right conditions.”
“In many jurisdictions, individuals are not considered legal adults until they have attained the age of eighteen.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “attain” in context.
Verb
01. attain status
“The city worked for decades to attain status as a global financial hub.”
verb + noun
Real-World Examples
“If Cienciano reach the final again, I will go wherever, but hopefully I won’t have to sleep at a park again.”
Between 2010 and now, Cienciano didn’t attain the success many anticipated.” “We're the first country to attain independence in sub-Saharan Africa and to prove that it is possible to fight imperial might, and win," Foreign Minister Samuel Okuzeto Ablakwa tells me.” Etymology
From Middle English atteynen, from Anglo-Norman ataindre, from Old French, from Latin attingō. Doublet of attainder and attinge.
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.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL 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: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · AdvancedOxford
- Updated
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