attain

[uh-teyn]

verb (used with object)

1. to reach, achieve, or accomplish; gain; obtain.

   to attain one's goals.

   Synonyms: secure
   Antonyms: miss

2. to come to or arrive at, especially after some labor or tedium; reach.

   to attain the age of 96;

   to attain the mountain peak.

   Antonyms: miss

verb (used without object)

1. to arrive at or succeed in reaching or obtaining something (usually followed by to orunto ).

   to attain to knowledge.

2. to reach in the course of development or growth.

   These trees attain to remarkable height.

attain

/ əˈteɪn /

verb

1. (tr) to achieve or accomplish (a task, goal, aim, etc)

2. (tr) to reach or arrive at in space or time

   to attain old age

3. to arrive (at) with effort or exertion

   to attain to glory

Other Word Forms

• attainer noun
• reattain verb (used with object)
• unattaining adjective
• attainability noun
• attainable adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of attain¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English atei(g)nen, from Anglo-French, Old French ateign- (stem of ateindre ), from unattested Vulgar Latin attangere (for Latin attingere ), equivalent to Latin at- at- + tangere “to touch”

Word History and Origins

Origin of attain¹

C14: from Old French ateindre, from Latin attingere to reach, from tangere to touch

Synonym Study

See gain ¹.

Example Sentences

"The truth is, Ethan had successfully attained a 2:1 honours degree, despite the university repeatedly informing him he had been unsuccessful."

From BBC

Shannon is baffled by her self-denial, but Hannah has attained an understanding of home not as a physical place but as a spiritual bulwark, born out of love and patient respect.

From Los Angeles Times

And according to internal documents attained by The Times, debris crews were regularly confused how to handle contaminated pool water — which researchers have found to contain trace amounts of lead, arsenic and other toxic chemicals.

From Los Angeles Times

The demand for constant perfection and precision — and the wreckage the human body must endure to attain such excellence — in professional sports is entirely outrageous and unrealistic.

From Salon

In the years since that memorable trip to the RSC, Sir Kenneth has attained theatrical and cinematic heights most actors can only dream of.

From BBC

Related Words

• complete 
• earn 
• gain 
• obtain 
• promote 
• reach 
• realize 
• reap 
• secure