achieve
Americanverb (used with object)
verb (used without object)
verb
-
to bring to a successful conclusion; accomplish; attain
-
to gain as by hard work or effort
to achieve success
Related Words
See do 1.
Other Word Forms
- achievable adjective
- achiever noun
- outachieve verb (used with object)
- preachieved adjective
- superachiever noun
- unachievable adjective
- unachieved adjective
- well-achieved adjective
Etymology
Origin of achieve
First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English acheven, from Old French achever “to finish,” from phrase a chef “to (the) head,” i.e., “to conclusion”; chief
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
"We got some clarity on their aims and their ambitions, what their short-term goal is now and how they're looking to achieve it."
From BBC • Apr. 2, 2026
Doncic scored 600 points last month, joining Michael Jordan as the only players in NBA history to achieve the feat in March.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 2, 2026
He points out that the “Made in China 2025” playbook, Xi’s signature initiative, was largely successful, allowing China to achieve dominance in critical sectors like EVs and shipbuilding.
From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 31, 2026
But it’s a goal that the Fed hasn’t been able to achieve in more than five years.
From Barron's • Mar. 31, 2026
“Is that it? What exactly did you hope to achieve, following in the strikebreakers as though you were one of them? With those clothes, you stood out like a fly in soup.”
From "The City Beautiful" by Aden Polydoros
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
