attain
uh-TAYN
Attain (verb) means to succeed in reaching or achieving something through effort. Example: “She worked for years to attain her law degree.”
verb
1
To succeed in reaching or achieving something through effort.
"She worked for years to attain her law degree."
"Few athletes ever attain that level of consistency."
"It took the team months of training to attain the standard needed for the final."
noun
1
Something reached or achieved; an accomplishment. (Rare use; usually replaced by "attainment.")
"His attain in the field earned him wide respect."
How to use attain
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo reach or achieve a goal, level, or state, usually after sustained effort.
Common mistake
Slightly more formal than "get" or "reach" — best used for goals, ages, or levels, not physical objects.
Common pairings
attain a goal
attain success
attain a certain age
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Word forms
- Plural
- attains
- Third person singular
- attains
- Past tense
- attained
- Archaic forms
- attainest, attaineth, attainedst
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She worked for years to _____ her law degree.
Etymology
From Old French ataindre, "to reach," from Latin attingere ("to touch, reach"), from ad- ("to") plus tangere ("to touch").
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for attain
See all rhymes for attain →Frequently asked questions
What does “attain” mean?
The word “attain” means to succeed in reaching or achieving something through effort. In plain terms, to reach or achieve a goal, level, or state, usually after sustained effort.
How do you pronounce “attain”?
“Attain” is pronounced uh-TAYN (/əˈteɪn/ in IPA).
How do you use “attain” in a sentence?
Here is “attain” used in a sentence: “She worked for years to attain her law degree.”
What part of speech is “attain”?
Depending on how it is used, “attain” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “attain” come from?
The word “attain” comes from Latin. From Old French ataindre, "to reach," from Latin attingere ("to touch, reach"), from ad- ("to") plus tangere ("to touch").
Is “attain” a common word?
“Attain” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “attain” have?
“Attain” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to succeed in reaching or achieving something through effort.
What is the difference between attain and achieve?
"Attain" and "achieve" both mean to succeed in reaching a goal through effort, and they're largely interchangeable. "Attain" often suggests reaching a level, status, or standard, such as "attain fluency," while "achieve" more commonly pairs with concrete accomplishments like "achieve a goal."
Is it correct to say "attain to" something?
"Attain to" is an older, more formal construction meaning to rise or reach a certain level, as in "attain to greatness." In modern English, "attain" is far more commonly used without "to," directly followed by the object, as in "attain a goal."
What kinds of things does attain typically describe?
"Attain" is often used with abstract nouns such as goals, success, fluency, status, or a particular age, since it emphasizes reaching a desired state through sustained effort. It is less natural with everyday physical objects.
