verb
achieve
uh-CHEEV
verb
1
To succeed in doing or reaching something, usually after effort.
"She achieved her goal of running a marathon."
"The team achieved record sales this quarter."
2
To do well, especially in school or in a career.
"He has always achieved highly in maths."
How to Use Achieve
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo succeed at something through effort — reach a goal, finish a task well, or get a desired result.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with "achieved" used loosely for simple actions — achieve implies effort and success, not just doing something.
Common pairings
achieve a goal
achieve success
achieve results
achieve a balance
Word Forms
achieved past tense, achieves singular
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She _____ her goal of running a marathon.
Etymology
From Old French achever, "to finish" or "bring to a head," ultimately built from Latin caput ("head") — the sense being to bring something to its final point.