achieve

[uh-cheev]

verb (used with object)

achieved, achieving 

1. to bring to a successful end; carry through; accomplish.

   The police crackdown on speeders achieved its purpose.

   Synonyms: reach, realize, execute, effect, complete, consummate

2. to get or attain by effort; gain; obtain.

   to achieve victory.

   Synonyms: win, realize

verb (used without object)

achieved, achieving 

1. to bring about an intended result; accomplish some purpose or effect.

achieve

/ əˈtʃiːv /

verb

1. to bring to a successful conclusion; accomplish; attain

2. to gain as by hard work or effort

   to achieve success

Other Word Forms

• achievable adjective
• achiever noun
• outachieve verb (used with object)
• preachieved adjective
• superachiever noun
• unachievable adjective
• unachieved adjective
• well-achieved adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of achieve¹

First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English acheven, from Old French achever “to finish,” from phrase a chef “to (the) head,” i.e., “to conclusion”; chief

Word History and Origins

Origin of achieve¹

C14: from Old French achever to bring to an end, from the phrase a chef to a head, to a conclusion

Synonym Study

See do ¹.

Example Sentences

Anisimova achieved that in July, having failed to make it through qualifying the previous year.

From BBC

Elias achieved three of his A*s – in chemistry, maths and physics – last year, while he scored an A* in further maths and A in biology this year.

From BBC

Farage gave no details as to how either might be achieved.

From BBC

"No evil propaganda video will weaken us or divert us from our determination to achieve these goals," the statement said.

From BBC

If a future Reform government were to stick to its tax cutting and spending pledges set out in its last manifesto, while failing to achieve its pledged savings, government borrowing would have to rise.

From BBC

Related Words

• accomplish 
• attain 
• bring about 
• carry out 
• complete 
• conclude 
• do 
• earn 
• enact 
• end 
• gain 
• manage 
• obtain 
• produce 
• reach 
• realize 
• resolve 
• settle 
• sign 
• solve