achieve

verb

ə-ˈchēv 

achieved; achieving; achieves

transitive verb

: to succeed at reaching or accomplishing (a goal, result, etc.) especially through effort

achieved fame

achieved a certain level of success

hoping to achieve their objective

talks aimed at achieving peace

You've worked hard, made sacrifices and have finally achieved your dream.

—Lewis Howes

When a show achieves cult status …, it inevitably loses some of its original charm.

—Debra Craine

He often achieved an effect with jokes where mere oratory would not work so well …

—Paul Johnson

Try to achieve a balance between relaxation and responsibility.

—Russell Grant

A quadruple jump entails four rotations, as the name implies. But exactly how skaters achieve the feat can vary.

—Candice Choi

… the good work achieved during his long tenure has often been overlooked …

—James Riach

intransitive verb

: to reach or bring about a desired end or goal : to become successful

We shouldn't be afraid to push our kids to achieve.

—John Keilman

achievable

ə-ˈchē-və-bəl 

adjective

Did you know?

Common Misspellings

acheive, achive

Synonyms

• attain
• bag
• chalk up
• clock (up) [chiefly British]
• gain
• hit
• log
• make
• notch (up)
• rack up
• ring up
• score
• win

Choose the Right Synonym for achieve

perform, execute, discharge, accomplish, achieve, effect, fulfill mean to carry out or into effect.

perform implies action that follows established patterns or procedures or fulfills agreed-upon requirements and often connotes special skill.

performed gymnastics

execute stresses the carrying out of what exists in plan or in intent.

executed the hit-and-run

discharge implies execution and completion of appointed duties or tasks.

discharged his duties

accomplish stresses the successful completion of a process rather than the means of carrying it out.

accomplished everything they set out to do

achieve adds to accomplish the implication of conquered difficulties.

achieve greatness

effect adds to achieve an emphasis on the inherent force in the agent capable of surmounting obstacles.

effected sweeping reforms

fulfill implies a complete realization of ends or possibilities.

fulfilled their ambitions

Examples of achieve in a Sentence

a diet that achieves dramatic results

With much practice, she has achieved a high level of skill.

They achieved high scores on their math tests.

We give students the skills they need in order to achieve in college.

Recent Examples on the Web

The primary research question Deloitte set out to answer was how women define success at work, and what gets in the way of achieving said success. —Lindsay Kohler, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024

The South Korean pop group achieves its first top 10 on the chart. —Gary Trust, Billboard, 4 Nov. 2024

The late music legend Quincy Jones achieved a long list of accomplishments in his lifetime. —Christian Holub, EW.com, 4 Nov. 2024

Cashmere, wool, and artificial materials can achieve the same shaggy finish too. —Jake Henry Smith, Glamour, 4 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English acheven, borrowed from Anglo-French achever "to complete, carry out, succeed," from a-, prefix forming telic and transitive verbs (going back to Latin ad- ad-) + -chever, verbal derivative from chef, chief "end, head" — more at chief entry 3

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense

Phrases Containing achieve

• achieve/reach an understanding

Kids Definition

achieve

verb

ə-ˈchēv 

achieved; achieving

1

: accomplish

achieved our purpose

2

: to get by effort

achieve greatness

achievable

-ˈchē-və-bəl 

adjective

achiever noun

Etymology

Middle English acheven "achieve," from early French achever "to finish," from a- "to" and cheef "end, head," from Latin caput "head" — related to capital, chief