Achieve Definition, Examples & Common Usage

Meaning 1：accomplish (achieve)

achieve 🔊

/əˈtʃiːv/

To successfully do or get something you wanted, especially after working hard for it.

Person achieving goal on mountain peak at sunrise

accomplish 🔊

➕

/əˈkʌmplɪʃ/

To successfully complete or attain something, especially after effort.

📁 Category：Behaviors & Actions 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'ad' (to) + 'caput' (head), meaning 'to bring to a head' or 'complete'.

💡 Mnemonic

A CHIef EVEn't? No, you ACHIEVE! Picture a chief standing on a mountain peak after hard work.

📖 Example

After months of hard study, she finally achieved an excellent score on her final exam. 🔊 After months of hard study, she finally achieved an excellent score on her final exam.

🔗 Collocations

achieve a goal – to successfully reach a desired objective

achieve success – to attain a favorable outcome

achieve results – to produce desired outcomes through effort

🔄 Synonyms

accomplish (v.) – To complete something successfully.

attain (v.) – To reach a goal or level through effort.

reach (v.) – To arrive at a particular state or objective.

🚫 Antonyms

fail (v.) – To be unsuccessful in achieving something.

lose (v.) – To be deprived of or unable to get something desired.

miss (v.) – To fail to hit, reach, or obtain something.

🌱 Derivatives

achievement (n.) – A thing done successfully with effort.

achievable (adj.) – Capable of being attained.

achiever (n.) – A person who accomplishes significant results.

📖 Cultural Story

Derived from Latin 'ad caput venire' (to come to a head), evolving through Old French 'achever' to Middle English 'acheven', acquiring the sense of successfully finishing a task.