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 or unto ):

   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. introften foll byto to arrive (at) with effort or exertion

   to attain to glory

Derived Forms

• atˌtainaˈbility, noun
• atˈtainable, adjective

Other Words From

• at·tain·er noun
• re·at·tain verb (used with object)
• un·at·tain·ing 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

Learning how to conduct marketing research is one of the most important marketing skills you can attain.

From Search Engine Watch

It’s really something we only offer our best partners when we can attain it.

From Outside Online

Those premiums are based on your attained age and your health, as well as the value of your home and the payoff amount.

From Washington Blade

She told them to “contact any and all resources to try to attain proper PPE.”

From ProPublica

In particle physics, tiny fundamental particles can attain properties by interactions with other particles or fields.

From Science News

“The U.S. Navy will attain IOC [initial operational capability] in 2018 with 3F software,” DellaVedova wrote.

From The Daily Beast

She sends a miniature of her own image to the court, envious that it will enjoy a proximity she will never attain.

From The Daily Beast

Dahl went on to attain nationwide fame and his own syndicated broadcast as a result of Disco Demolition Night.

From The Daily Beast

How did bigotry attain such power, and how was it so encoded into our laws?

From The Daily Beast

Before you attempt this risky fashion move, you need to attain the chest necessary to fill out even the most modest of V-necks.

From The Daily Beast

Few persons can attain to adult life without being profoundly impressed by the appalling inequalities of our human lot.

From Project Gutenberg

The object of this practise is to attain facility in manipulating the elements while maintaining the smooth quality of the tone.

From Project Gutenberg

I study your language in your Dickens, in your Thackeray; at last I attain proficiency.

From Project Gutenberg

The Perique and Louisiana tobacco are the principal varieties cultivated, and attain nearly the size of Connecticut seed leaf.

From Project Gutenberg

To attain this end the student should begin by pacing some length of road where the distances are well known.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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