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

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Common Misspellings

acheive, achive

Synonyms

• attain
• win
• gain
• make

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 African Development Bank estimates the continent needs $130 billion per year in energy investment to meet demand and achieve much broader electricity access by 2030. —Ken Silverstein, Forbes.com, 20 July 2025

The success was achieved through an unconventional strategy that kept the lead actors entirely away from public exposure, forgoing interviews, promotional tours, social media content, and influencer partnerships. —Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 19 July 2025

Amber competes with Cher throughout the movie for popularity, which Geminis can achieve in terms of social status. —Lisa Stardust, People.com, 19 July 2025

Astronomer is a private data infrastructure and operations company that achieved unicorn status in 2022 with a $1 billion or more valuation. —Preston Fore, Fortune, 19 July 2025

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

Rhymes for achieve

• believe
• conceive
• deceive
• naive
• perceive
• receive
• relieve
• reprieve
• retrieve
• breve
• cleave
• cleeve

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