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to attain

to attain

110 3.9
To reach a level, place, or goal after hard work
  • verb
  • /əˈteɪn/
translation icon : alcanzar
  • After years of studying, she was finally able to attain her dream of becoming a doctor.
  • attain a goal
  • attain success
  • attain a higher level

And unfortunately, the titles only were if the title could be attained overnight.

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Examples

  • Pupils can be aided to attain a higher level with scaffolding.

    Academic text (2011)
  • Naturally, such a goal can't be attained without experts of superior ability, men of vision.

  • Remember, no effort that we make to attain something beautiful is ever lost.

    Academic text (2011)
  • About 2% of students attain senior status by the third year of school.

    Academic text (2011)
  • Only then will the region finally attain the development it has so long sought.

    Academic text (2011)
  • The natural law will help us to attain happiness here.

  • Different ways and techniques could be used to attain the state of relaxation.

    Academic text (2011)
  • Some even attain freedom and become trainers themselves.

  • Without equity, many people will never ever attain fairness and equality.

  • I'd hate to see Paula lose everything she's worked so hard to attain.

Synonyms

to make
vsto attain
1.0

To reach a place or achieve a goal

focuses on succeeding in reaching standards or goals rather than mere arrival
to get to
vsto attain
2.4

Reach a goal, place, or state after effort

emphasizes succeeding rather than only arriving at outcomes after effort
to reach
vsto attain
1.1

Get to a place, level, or goal after effort

focuses on succeeding in arriving at levels or goals after effort
to achieve
vsto attain
2.3

To reach a goal by effort or skill

is about succeeding in arriving at levels or goals rather than task completion
to come to
vsto attain
3.1

Reach a decision or understanding

focuses on succeeding in reaching that condition after effort
to gain
vsto attain
1.4

To get something useful, often by effort, like money or skills

focuses on succeeding in reaching levels or goals rather than merely gaining things
to accomplish
vsto attain
942 2.6

To do something successfully after much effort

stresses succeeding in arriving at a level or state instead of task completion
to hit
vsto attain
870 2.5

To reach a target or goal

concerns overall success at levels or states rather than reaching specific amounts
to obtain
vsto attain
619 2.6

To get something by asking or working for it

emphasizes success in achieving a level or state, not just getting an item
to acquire
vsto attain
458 3.3

To get something or learn a skill over time

is about succeeding in reaching a goal rather than gaining items or skills
to arrive at
vsto attain
320 2.1

Reach a place, for example a station, or come to a decision after thinking

is about succeeding in achieving levels or goals, not only physical arrival
to progress to
vsto attain
9 3.6

Move on to a higher level after getting better

is about reaching a final level or goal rather than gradual advancement

How Successful

to achieve
2.3
to attain
110 3.9
to reach
1.1
to try
1.0
to fail
898 1.0

Surface Forms

attain infinitive
attained past
attained past participle
attaining present participle
attains third person singular

Etymology

Attain comes from the Latin parts ad- 'to' and tangere 'to touch'. So, to attain something is to 'reach' or 'touch' a goal, often after effort, and you can see the same root in tangible, which means 'able to be touched'.