accomplishment
An accomplishment is a goal you have reached through hard work.
Explanation at your level:
An accomplishment is something you do well. If you study hard and pass a test, that is an accomplishment. It makes you feel happy and proud of yourself. You can have many small accomplishments every single day!
When you work hard to finish a project, that is an accomplishment. It is a positive result of your effort. For example, learning to swim is a big accomplishment for many children.
An accomplishment is a goal you have reached. It usually requires time and skill. We often talk about 'personal accomplishments' like learning a hobby or 'professional accomplishments' like getting a promotion at work.
The term is used to describe the successful completion of a challenging endeavor. It carries a sense of merit; you don't just 'get' an accomplishment, you 'earn' it through perseverance and dedication. It is a formal way to acknowledge success.
In advanced contexts, an accomplishment represents the culmination of sustained effort. It is often used in academic or professional evaluations to denote a significant milestone. The word implies a degree of mastery and competence that distinguishes the individual.
Etymologically, the word signifies the 'filling' of a potential. It denotes the transition from capability to realized achievement. In literary and formal discourse, it highlights the intersection of talent and discipline, often used to frame a person's life work or legacy.
Word in 30 Seconds
- A noun meaning a successful achievement.
- Requires effort and skill.
- Common in professional settings.
- Synonym for achievement.
Hey there! Think of an accomplishment as a gold star for your efforts. It is not just about finishing a task; it is about the pride and success that comes after you have worked hard to reach a goal.
Whether it is graduating from school, learning a new language, or finally fixing that leaky faucet, these are all accomplishments. It is a word that celebrates the journey of effort leading to a positive result.
The word accomplishment comes from the Old French word acomplir, which means 'to complete' or 'to fulfill'. It is rooted in the Latin word complere, meaning 'to fill up'.
Over time, it evolved to describe not just the act of finishing, but the achievement itself. It is fascinating how a word that once just meant 'filling something up' now represents the peak of human effort and success!
You will hear this word in both professional and casual settings. In business, you might list your major accomplishments on a resume to show what you can do.
In daily life, we often use it to praise others. Saying, 'That is a great accomplishment!' is a wonderful way to acknowledge someone's hard work and dedication.
While 'accomplishment' is usually a direct noun, it is linked to idioms like 'feather in one's cap', which means an accomplishment you are proud of. Another is 'to pull it off', meaning to succeed in a difficult task.
You might also hear 'success story', which describes a person or project that is a significant accomplishment, or 'a job well done', which is the ultimate compliment for an accomplishment.
Grammatically, it is a countable noun. You can have one accomplishment or many accomplishments. It is often used with verbs like 'achieve' or 'celebrate'.
Pronunciation-wise, the stress is on the second syllable: uh-KOM-plish-ment. It rhymes with words like 'replenishment' and 'admonishment'.
Fun Fact
It shares a root with 'complete'.
Pronunciation Guide
Clear 'o' sound.
Slightly more open 'a' sound.
Common Errors
- stressing the wrong syllable
- dropping the 'sh' sound
- mispronouncing the 'ment' ending
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Moderate
Moderate
Moderate
Moderate
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Noun usage
An accomplishment is a noun.
Examples by Level
I finished my homework.
I completed my work.
Simple past tense.
She felt proud of her accomplishment.
Winning the game was a huge accomplishment.
He listed his accomplishments on his resume.
Learning English is a big accomplishment.
They celebrated their group accomplishment.
What is your greatest accomplishment?
She has many accomplishments.
Hard work leads to accomplishment.
His academic accomplishments are impressive.
She felt a sense of accomplishment after the hike.
The project was a significant accomplishment for the team.
They celebrated the accomplishment with a party.
It is a great accomplishment to write a book.
He takes pride in his professional accomplishments.
The accomplishment took three years of work.
She reached a major accomplishment today.
The construction of the bridge was an engineering accomplishment.
Her career is a long list of accomplishments.
He viewed the promotion as a personal accomplishment.
It was a rare accomplishment for such a young athlete.
The team's accomplishment was recognized by the CEO.
She felt a deep sense of accomplishment at the finish line.
His accomplishment is a testament to his hard work.
They achieved this accomplishment through sheer perseverance.
The treaty was a diplomatic accomplishment of the highest order.
She considers her charitable work her greatest accomplishment.
His life's work is a monumental accomplishment in science.
The accomplishment of such a goal requires immense discipline.
They were honored for their collective accomplishment.
He downplayed his own accomplishment despite the praise.
The accomplishment serves as a benchmark for future projects.
Her artistic accomplishment has influenced many others.
The realization of the project was a crowning accomplishment.
He regarded the resolution of the conflict as his finest accomplishment.
The sheer scale of the accomplishment left the critics speechless.
She viewed her tenure as a series of quiet accomplishments.
Such an accomplishment is rarely seen in this field.
The accomplishment of the mission was paramount.
His intellectual accomplishment remains unmatched.
They celebrated the accomplishment of their long-term vision.
Synonyms
Common Collocations
Idioms & Expressions
"feather in one's cap"
an accomplishment to be proud of
Winning the award was a feather in her cap.
idiomatic""
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Easily Confused
They are synonyms.
Accomplishment is often more about the process.
He achieved his goal vs. His accomplishment was great.
Sentence Patterns
Subject + verb + accomplishment
She celebrated her accomplishment.
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Related
How to Use It
8
Formality Scale
Common Mistakes
The suffix is -ment, not -ness.
Tips
Resume Tip
Always use 'accomplishment' to describe your work history.
Countable Noun
Remember to use 'an' or pluralize it.
Root Word
It comes from 'complete'.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
A-C-C-O-M-P-L-I-S-H: Always Create Clear Objectives, Make Progress, Lead In Success, Have Great Habits.
Visual Association
A mountain climber reaching the peak.
Word Web
Challenge
Write down three things you did this week that you are proud of.
Word Origin
French/Latin
Original meaning: To fill up
Cultural Context
None.
Highly valued in Western cultures as a sign of ambition.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Work
- List of accomplishments
- Key accomplishment
- Professional accomplishment
Conversation Starters
"What is your proudest accomplishment?"
"Do you think hard work always leads to accomplishment?"
Journal Prompts
Write about a time you felt a sense of accomplishment.
Frequently Asked Questions
8 questionsThey are very similar, but accomplishment focuses on the task completed.
Test Yourself
Winning the race was a great ___.
It describes a successful act.
Which is an accomplishment?
Learning to read is a skill achieved.
An accomplishment is always easy.
It usually requires effort.
Word
Meaning
They are synonyms.
Standard sentence structure.
Score: /5
Summary
An accomplishment is the rewarding result of your hard work and dedication.
- A noun meaning a successful achievement.
- Requires effort and skill.
- Common in professional settings.
- Synonym for achievement.
Resume Tip
Always use 'accomplishment' to describe your work history.
Countable Noun
Remember to use 'an' or pluralize it.
Root Word
It comes from 'complete'.
Example
Cleaning the entire garage in one afternoon felt like a huge accomplishment.
Related Content
This Word in Other Languages
More Work words
abformize
C1To structure or give a specific, standardized form to an object, idea, or process, often based on a pre-existing model or mold. It is frequently used in technical or theoretical contexts to describe the transition from an amorphous state to a defined configuration.
abmissery
C1To formally discharge or release an individual from a specific duty, mission, or administrative post, typically due to a failure to meet requirements or an organizational change. It implies a structured removal from a position of responsibility before the natural conclusion of a term.
abregship
C1To systematically condense, streamline, or narrow the scope of duties and authorities inherent in a formal leadership position or institutional office. This verb is typically used in the context of organizational restructuring to describe the reduction of a role's breadth to increase efficiency.
absigntude
C1To formally and publicly relinquish a position of authority or a professional responsibility, specifically as an act of moral or ethical protest. This verb implies that the departure is accompanied by a documented statement of principles or a refusal to comply with compromised standards.
achievement
C1A thing done successfully, typically by effort, courage, or skill. In an academic or professional context, it refers to the act of reaching a specific level of performance or completing a significant milestone.
adantiary
C1To strategically adjust or modify an existing plan, process, or structure in anticipation of specific future obstacles or changes. This verb describes the proactive act of refining a strategy before a problem actually occurs.
adept
C1Highly skilled or proficient at a task that requires specific knowledge or practice. It describes a person who can perform complex actions with ease and precision.
adflexship
C1To strategically and dynamically adapt one's professional approach or methodology by flexibly integrating new skills or environmental shifts. It describes the active process of mastering situational changes to maintain a competitive or functional advantage.
adhument
C1To provide support, assistance, or reinforcement to a person, organization, or project. It specifically refers to the act of strengthening an existing foundation or effort through additional resources or effort.
adjustment
B2A small change or modification made to improve something or to make it work better. It also refers to the process of becoming used to a new situation or environment.