What does "attained" mean?

1. (to reach a goal) to succeed in getting or reaching something you have worked for. 2. (successfully reached) describes a goal or level that has already been reached.

How do you use "attained"?

Often used with abstract nouns like 'rank', 'status', 'goal', or 'standard'.

attained

v. · adj.

US //əˈteɪnd// UK //ɐtˈeɪnd// at·tained

1 to reach a goal (v.)
C1 Advanced Formal

to succeed in getting or reaching something you have worked for.

to succeed in achieving a goal or reaching a specific state, often through sustained effort. Transitive — requires a direct object.

Example

After years of study, she finally attained the rank of professor.

Example

The diplomat attained a breakthrough in the negotiations only after several weeks of intensive, behind-the-scenes discussions with both parties.

Usage

Often used with abstract nouns like 'rank', 'status', 'goal', or 'standard'.
- fail
- lose
2 successfully reached (adj.)
C1 Advanced Formal Academic

describes a goal or level that has already been reached.

having been achieved or reached; used as a participial adjective to describe a realised state or standard.

Example

The attained results were much higher than the team had expected.

Example

The report compared the attained proficiency levels of the students against the national benchmarks established the previous year.

Teacher's tip

In modern English, 'achieved' is more common in general contexts; 'attained' is preferred in academic or official reporting.
- achieved
- realised
- unmet