verb

attain

uh-TAYN

verb

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."

noun

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 notes

In 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

Word Forms

attained past tense, attain plural, attained plural, attains plural, attains singular, attain singular, attained singular, attainest singular, attaineth singular, attainedst singular

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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").

Rhymes for attain

ain rain pain lain gain main vain fain bain Iain Jain Cain

See all rhymes for attain →