attain
- 01 C1 Advanced
to succeed in getting something you want, usually after a lot of effort.
to achieve or accomplish a desired goal or objective through sustained effort. Transitive — requires a direct object representing the achievement.
Simple“After years of hard work, she finally attained her goal of becoming a doctor.”
In context“The organisation has struggled to attain its carbon-neutrality targets despite significant investment in renewable infrastructure over the last decade.”
- 02 C1 Advanced
to reach a particular level, age, or condition.
to reach or arrive at a specific state, degree, or milestone, often through natural progression or growth.
Simple“The tree can attain a height of over thirty metres in the right conditions.”
In context“In many jurisdictions, individuals are not considered legal adults until they have attained the age of eighteen.”
Usage attain status
“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.”
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.