achieving

The word “achieving” means the act of successfully reaching a goal or completing something difficult. In plain terms, the process of getting something done or reaching a goal you set out for.

“Achieving” is pronounced uh-CHEE-vihng (/əˈt͡ʃiːvɪŋ/ in IPA).

Here is “achieving” used in a sentence: “Achieving a healthy work-life balance took her years of trial and error.”

“Achieving” is a noun.

“Achieving” is a fairly common word in modern English.

They are close synonyms, and in most sentences either works. Achieving emphasizes successfully reaching a goal or standard (achieving success, achieving a personal best), while accomplishing highlights completing a task or piece of work (accomplishing a mission). The difference is one of emphasis rather than correctness.

The correct spelling is achieving, following the "i before e" pattern of achieve. "Acheiving" is a common misspelling. Note that the final e of achieve is dropped before adding -ing.

Attaining is more formal and often pairs with levels, ranks, and qualifications ("attaining a degree," "attaining the age of eighteen"). Achieving is the everyday word and stresses effort and success in reaching something difficult. Both describe successfully getting there.

Use achieving when the emphasis is on effort and success against difficulty: achieving fluency, achieving a target. Reaching is more neutral and physical — you reach a destination or a milestone simply by arriving at it, but you achieve something you had to work for.