Definitions
01to arrive at a place
A2 · Elementary
v. to arrive at a place or a goal after traveling or making an effort.
v. to arrive at a destination or attain a specific state or goal through effort or progression.
日本語:到着する※
“We finally reached the hotel after driving for six hours in the rain.”
“The climbers finally reached the summit just as the sun began to set, marking the end of a grueling three-day ascent.”
02to stretch out an arm
A2 · Elementary
v. to move your arm or hand toward something so you can touch or grab it.
v. to extend a limb or an object held in the hand in order to touch, grasp, or strike something.
“He reached for the top shelf to get the cereal box.”
“She reached across the table to grab the salt, nearly knocking over a glass of water in the process.”
Usage
Often used with the preposition 'for' when trying to grab something.
03to contact someone
B1 · Intermediate
v. to get in touch with someone by phone, email, or letter.
v. to establish communication with someone, especially after several attempts.
“You can reach me on my mobile phone if there is an emergency.”
“Despite several attempts to reach the manager by email, the client received no response regarding the refund.”
Synonyms
04to meet up
C1 · Advanced Slang · Informal
v. to arrive at a place to meet friends.
v. to arrive at a destination, specifically to join others or meet up.
“I'll reach the party around nine, so wait for me there.”
“The group decided to reach the club early to avoid the long queues at the entrance.”
Teaching tip
This sense is common in Multicultural London English (MLE) and some Caribbean dialects.
05distance you can stretch
B1 · Intermediate Uncountable noun
n. the distance you can stretch your arm to touch something.
n. the physical extent or distance that a person or thing can reach.
“The cookies were kept on a high shelf, out of the child's reach.”
“The boxer had a significant advantage due to his long reach, allowing him to land punches from a safer distance.”
Usage
Commonly used in the phrases 'within reach' or 'out of reach'.
06influence or power
B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun
n. the power or ability to influence people or events.
n. the extent of one's influence, power, or capacity to affect a situation.
“The new law has a long reach and will affect many businesses.”
“The charity's reach has expanded globally, providing aid to millions of people in developing nations.”
07an exaggeration
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Informal
n. something that is difficult to believe because it is an exaggeration.
n. an interpretation or statement that goes beyond the available evidence; a stretch of the truth.
“Calling him a genius is a bit of a reach, but he is very smart.”
“To suggest that the minor policy change caused the entire economic collapse is quite a reach.”
Synonyms
08sailing direction
C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Sports Technical
n. a direction of sailing where the wind comes from the side of the boat.
n. a point of sail where the wind blows across the side of the vessel, between being close-hauled and running.
“The boat picked up speed as we turned onto a broad reach.”
“The crew adjusted the sails for a beam reach, taking full advantage of the steady crosswind to maintain their lead.”
Teaching tip
This is a specific nautical term used by sailors.
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “reach” in context.
Verb
01. reach conclusion
“After reviewing all the evidence, the jury was able to reach a conclusion.”
verb + noun
02. reach consensus
“The committee struggled to reach a consensus on the new budget proposal.”
verb + noun
03. reach goal
“She worked overtime every day to ensure she would reach her sales goal.”
verb + noun
04. reach level
“Water in the reservoir has started to reach a dangerous level after the storm.”
verb + noun
05. reach potential
“With the right coaching, the young athlete can finally reach his full potential.”
verb + noun
06. reach significance
“The study results did not reach statistical significance during the first trial.”
verb + noun
07. reach solution
“Both parties are meeting today to try and reach a peaceful solution to the conflict.”
verb + noun
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.
Reach is a transitive verb that takes a direct object, while arrive is intransitive and requires a preposition like at or in to connect to a destination.
RememberReach the place; arrive at the space.
Real-World Examples
“In the UK, temperatures also reached 36C or higher in 40 locations across central and southern England.” “Over the next 75 years, Mayo reached 11 more finals – and lost them all.” “Millions of people still have long Covid, yet a cure still isn't quite within reach.” “All are four-legged plant eaters, with very long necks that helped them reach up into trees and long counter-balancing tails.” Etymology
From Middle English rechen, from Old English rǣċan (“to reach”), from Proto-West Germanic raikijan, from Proto-Germanic raikijaną, from the Proto-Indo-European *Hreyǵ- (“to bind, reach”).
From Japanese 立直 (rīchi), from Chinese 立直 (lìzhí).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
Idioms
Domain
- 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.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL 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: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Very common
- Level
- B2 · Upper IntermediateOxford
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/reach
※ 機械で選んだ訳語です。ネイティブスピーカーによる確認はまだです。
「日本語」「カタカナ語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0