Attainable: Definition, Usage & Common Mistakes

Meaning 1：possible to achieve (attainable)

attainable 🔊

/əˈteɪnəb(ə)l/

adj.

Something you can get or do with some effort, like a realistic goal.

Attainable goal illustrated by a person reaching a golden star on a shelf within comfortable reach.

possible to achieve 🔊

➕

/ˈpɒsəb(ə)l tə əˈtʃiːv/

adj.

Describes something (like a goal, standard, or object) that can be reached or accomplished, typically with reasonable effort or within existing means.

📁 Category：Social Economy 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'ad-' (to) + 'tangere' (to touch). Combined as 'attingere' (to reach, touch, arrive at), entering English via Old French.

💡 Mnemonic

Achievable Targets Are IN the ABLE range. Think 'ATTAIN' + 'ABLE'.

📖 Example

During the family meeting, we set an attainable goal of saving enough money for a holiday by next summer. 🔊 During the family meeting, we established a goal that is possible to achieve: saving sufficient funds for a vacation by next summer.

🔗 Collocations

attainable goal – an objective that is realistically possible to reach

easily attainable – something that can be acquired or accomplished with little difficulty

remain attainable – to continue to be possible to achieve under the circumstances

🔄 Synonyms

achievable (adj.) – Capable of being brought to a successful conclusion or reached.

realistic (adj.) – Having a sensible and practical idea of what can be achieved or expected.

feasible (adj.) – Possible to do easily or conveniently; likely or probable.

🚫 Antonyms

unattainable (adj.) – Impossible to reach or achieve.

impossible (adj.) – Not able to occur, exist, or be done.

unreachable (adj.) – Unable to be reached or attained.

🌱 Derivatives

attain (v.) – To succeed in achieving something, especially after effort.

attainment (n.) – Something that has been achieved successfully, or the action of achieving something.

unattainable (adj.) – Not able to be reached or achieved.

📖 Cultural Story

The word derives from the Latin 'attingere', meaning 'to touch or reach'. It entered English in the 14th century via Old French 'ataindre'. In modern culture, it's a cornerstone of SMART goal-setting theory, particularly in business and personal development, emphasizing realistic and achievable objectives.