# reach

/ˈɹitʃ/ (US) · /ɹˈiːtʃ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/reach
Updated: 2026-07-22

## Senses

### 1. to arrive at a place

verb · CEFR A2

to arrive at a place or a goal after traveling or making an effort.

For teachers: to arrive at a destination or attain a specific state or goal through effort or progression.

- 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.

### 2. to stretch out an arm

verb · CEFR A2

to move your arm or hand toward something so you can touch or grab it.

For teachers: 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.

### 3. to contact someone

verb · CEFR B1

to get in touch with someone by phone, email, or letter.

For teachers: 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.

### 4. to meet up

verb · CEFR C1 · Slang · Informal

to arrive at a place to meet friends.

For teachers: 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.

### 5. distance you can stretch

noun · CEFR B1

the distance you can stretch your arm to touch something.

For teachers: 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'.

### 6. influence or power

noun · CEFR B2

the power or ability to influence people or events.

For teachers: 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.

### 7. an exaggeration

noun · CEFR B2 · Informal

something that is difficult to believe because it is an exaggeration.

For teachers: 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.

### 8. sailing direction

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

a direction of sailing where the wind comes from the side of the boat.

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- The top shelf is just out of my reach.
- The charity expanded its reach to provide clean water to three more villages this year.
- While the local newspaper has a loyal following, it lacks the global reach required to attract major international advertisers.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.