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

Example Sentences

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

Under Griffith’s guidance, the program has gone from 40 athletes to 294 and has achieved consistent success. —Cam Kerry, BostonGlobe.com, 29 May 2023

And more importantly, how can it be achieved (trust fund or not)? —House Beautiful, 26 May 2023

Second, inequality of outcomes for people in similar circumstances that result from differences in individual effort, such as practicing health-promoting behaviors like diet and exercise, is not unethical, and policymakers can reward those achieving better outcomes through such behaviors. —Anirban Basu, The Conversation, 26 May 2023

Inspired by artists such as Bad Bunny, Arcángel and Anuel AA, the young act is on his way to make a name for himself in a genre where not many Mexican artists have achieved success. —Jessica Roiz, Billboard, 26 May 2023

Adding greenery is one of the easiest ways to achieve that, and the olive tree (which is native to the Mediterranean coast) perfectly fits into this particular aesthetic. —Bryce Jones, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 May 2023

Another propellant is that startups building technologies that can serve both commercial and government uses have been able to achieve more venture-worthy growth. —Anne Sraders, Fortune, 25 May 2023

Below are a few of our favorites, plus some similar accessories and shimmering body oil to achieve Lori's glow-from-within skin. —Seventeen, 25 May 2023

To determine whether the reductions impacted public safety. To explore what needs to be done to expand access to jail alternatives for people deemed not to be a public-safety risk. To look into whether cost savings can be achieved by funneling people into services instead of jail. —Kelly Davis, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 May 2023

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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

• 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