Explanation at your level:
You use achieve when you finish a hard job. If you want to learn to play a song on the piano, you practice a lot. When you finally play it perfectly, you achieve your goal. It makes you feel happy!
When you work hard, you achieve things. For example, if you study English every day, you will achieve a high level. It means you reached a goal you wanted. It is a very good word to use when you are proud of your work.
To achieve means to reach a target or a goal through effort. It is often used in work or school. You might say, 'I want to achieve my target score on the exam.' It sounds more formal and serious than just saying 'I want to finish it.' It shows you have a plan.
Achieve implies a level of persistence and skill. It is not just about finishing; it is about meeting a standard. You might achieve a balance between work and life, or achieve a significant milestone in your career. It is a strong verb that suggests you have overcome challenges to get where you are.
In academic and professional contexts, achieve is a cornerstone verb. It is used to describe the attainment of complex objectives, such as achieving sustainable growth or achieving consensus in a meeting. It carries a nuance of intentionality; you do not just 'achieve' things by accident—it requires strategy, dedication, and measurable progress.
The usage of achieve at the C2 level often involves abstract concepts. We speak of achieving a state of grace, achieving artistic fulfillment, or achieving a paradigm shift. It is deeply connected to the concept of self-actualization. Etymologically, it remains linked to the notion of completion, but in modern usage, it serves as a marker of competence and the successful navigation of complex systems or personal aspirations.
Palavra em 30 segundos
- Achieve means reaching a goal through effort.
- It is a positive, professional word.
- Commonly used with 'goals', 'success', and 'targets'.
- It comes from the Latin word for 'head'.
When you achieve something, you are crossing the finish line of a goal you set for yourself. It is not just about doing a chore; it is about putting in the work and seeing a positive result.
Think of it as the reward for your effort and skills. Whether it is learning to ride a bike, finishing a big project at work, or getting an 'A' on a test, the word highlights the journey of hard work that leads to success.
Using this word shows that you value the process, not just the result. It is a very positive verb that carries a sense of pride and accomplishment.
The word achieve has a fascinating journey through history. It comes from the Old French word achever, which literally means 'to come to a head' or 'to bring to an end.'
If you look even further back, it traces to the Latin phrase ad caput venire, meaning 'to come to the head.' This makes perfect sense, as achieving something is like reaching the 'head' or the peak of a mountain.
Over the centuries, it evolved from simply 'finishing' something to the more specific meaning of 'succeeding' through effort. It entered the English language around the 15th century and has remained a staple for describing personal and professional triumphs ever since.
You will hear achieve in both formal and informal settings. It is very common in business, school, and sports contexts.
Common phrases include achieve a goal, achieve success, and achieve a balance. It sounds more professional than just saying 'get' or 'do.'
While you might say 'I got my homework done,' saying 'I achieved my study goals' sounds much more focused and intentional. Use it when you want to emphasize that your hard work really paid off.
While 'achieve' itself isn't always in an idiom, it is the heart of many expressions of success:
- Achieve the impossible: Doing something everyone thought couldn't be done.
- Achieve a breakthrough: Making a sudden, important discovery.
- Achieve greatness: Reaching a high level of success or fame.
- Achieve your potential: Reaching the highest level of your ability.
- Achieve a milestone: Reaching a significant stage in a project or life.
The word achieve is a regular verb. Its past tense is achieved and its present participle is achieving.
Pronunciation is /əˈtʃiːv/. The stress is on the second syllable. It rhymes with words like believe, receive, and conceive.
Grammatically, it is almost always followed by a noun (e.g., 'achieve success'). You rarely use it with a preposition directly after it, though you might say 'achieve success in something.'
Fun Fact
It comes from the Latin word for head (caput)!
Pronunciation Guide
uh-CHEEV
uh-CHEEV
Common Errors
- stressing the first syllable
- pronouncing the 'ch' as 'k'
- forgetting the 'v' sound
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Easy to read
Common in writing
Common in speech
Easy to hear
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Avançado
Grammar to Know
Verb Tenses
I have achieved.
Object Placement
I achieved it.
Infinitive usage
To achieve.
Examples by Level
I want to achieve my goal.
I / want / to / reach / my / objective.
Verb + infinitive.
She achieved it.
She / finished / it / successfully.
Past tense.
We work to achieve.
We / work / to / succeed.
Infinitive as purpose.
He achieved a lot.
He / did / many / things.
Past tense.
Can you achieve this?
Are / you / able / to / do / this?
Question form.
They achieved success.
They / reached / success.
Verb + noun.
I will achieve it.
I / am / going / to / do / it.
Future tense.
Did you achieve it?
Was / it / a / success?
Past tense question.
I want to achieve my dream of traveling.
She worked hard to achieve her goals.
They achieved a great result together.
It is hard to achieve everything at once.
He achieved his target score today.
We hope to achieve peace in the world.
Did you achieve what you wanted?
She has achieved so much this year.
The team achieved their sales target early.
It takes time to achieve a good balance.
He achieved fame after his first book.
They achieved a breakthrough in the lab.
You can achieve anything with focus.
She achieved a high level of fluency.
We need to achieve our goals by June.
He never achieved his full potential.
The company achieved significant growth this year.
It is difficult to achieve consensus among the group.
She achieved a sense of calm after the storm.
They managed to achieve their objectives despite delays.
Achieving excellence requires constant practice.
He achieved a rare victory in the competition.
We must achieve a sustainable energy model.
She achieved recognition for her research.
The policy aims to achieve social equity.
He achieved a level of mastery rarely seen.
They struggled to achieve a compromise.
Achieving such results takes years of dedication.
The artist achieved a unique style.
She achieved a profound understanding of the topic.
They achieved harmony in their design.
The project achieved its intended impact.
He achieved a state of intellectual enlightenment.
The architect achieved a perfect fusion of styles.
They achieved a delicate equilibrium in the ecosystem.
She achieved a degree of notoriety in her field.
The film achieved a cult status over time.
They achieved a transcendence of traditional boundaries.
Achieving such nuance is the mark of a master.
The symphony achieved a sublime emotional resonance.
Colocações comuns
Idioms & Expressions
"achieve the impossible"
succeeding at something thought impossible
He achieved the impossible by winning.
neutral"achieve a goalpost"
making progress toward a target
We are moving the goalposts closer.
casual"achieve a milestone"
hitting a significant marker
We achieved a major milestone.
formal"achieve a dream"
making a wish a reality
She finally achieved her dream.
neutral"achieve a feat"
performing a difficult act
It was quite an achievement.
formal"achieve nothing"
to fail completely
We achieved nothing today.
neutralEasily Confused
both mean getting to a goal
reach can be physical
I reached the shelf vs I achieved the goal.
both formal
attain is for status
He attained the rank of captain.
both mean finishing
accomplish is for tasks
I accomplished the list.
both mean winning
succeed is often intransitive
He succeeded in life.
Sentence Patterns
Subject + achieve + noun
She achieved her dream.
Subject + achieve + noun + prep
He achieved success in business.
Subject + manage to + achieve + noun
They managed to achieve their goal.
It is + adj + to achieve + noun
It is hard to achieve balance.
Subject + will + achieve + noun
We will achieve our target.
Família de palavras
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Relacionado
How to Use It
8
Formality Scale
Erros comuns
You don't use 'achieve' with an infinitive.
Keep it simple.
Use 'in' for areas.
Achieve is for goals, not chores.
Need a noun object.
Tips
Memory Palace Trick
Imagine a Chief (A-Chief) holding a trophy.
When Native Speakers Use It
When talking about long-term projects.
Cultural Insight
Americans love this word in business.
Grammar Shortcut
Always follow with a noun.
Say It Right
The 'ch' is soft.
Don't Make This Mistake
Don't use it for small, easy tasks.
Did You Know?
It comes from the Latin for head.
Study Smart
Use it in your goals list.
Write it down
Keep a journal of your achievements.
Context
Use it to show pride.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
A-CHIEVE: A CHIEF always achieves his goals.
Visual Association
A person standing on top of a mountain after a long climb.
Word Web
Desafio
Write down one thing you want to achieve this week.
Origem da palavra
Old French / Latin
Original meaning: to come to the head
Contexto cultural
None
Highly valued in business and education culture.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
at work
- achieve targets
- achieve goals
- achieve results
at school
- achieve grades
- achieve potential
- achieve success
personal life
- achieve dreams
- achieve balance
- achieve happiness
sports
- achieve victory
- achieve a record
- achieve a win
Conversation Starters
"What is one goal you hope to achieve this year?"
"Do you think it is easy to achieve balance in life?"
"What is the biggest thing you have ever achieved?"
"How does it feel when you finally achieve a goal?"
"What do you think is the key to achieving success?"
Journal Prompts
Write about a time you worked hard to achieve something.
List three things you want to achieve in the next month.
What does the word 'achievement' mean to you personally?
Describe a person you know who achieves everything they try.
Perguntas frequentes
8 perguntasYes, it is slightly more formal than 'get'.
No, that is incorrect grammar.
Achievement.
Yes, it ends in -ed for past tense.
No, you achieve goals or tasks.
uh-CHEEV.
Very often.
They are similar, but 'achieve' usually takes an object.
Teste-se
I want to ___ my goal.
Achieve is the correct verb for a goal.
Which means to finish a goal?
Achieve implies finishing a goal.
You can achieve a chore.
We usually achieve goals, not simple chores.
Word
Significado
Synonyms and antonyms.
Subject + verb + object.
Pontuação: /5
Summary
Achieve is the verb we use when our hard work leads us to a successful finish line.
- Achieve means reaching a goal through effort.
- It is a positive, professional word.
- Commonly used with 'goals', 'success', and 'targets'.
- It comes from the Latin word for 'head'.
Memory Palace Trick
Imagine a Chief (A-Chief) holding a trophy.
When Native Speakers Use It
When talking about long-term projects.
Cultural Insight
Americans love this word in business.
Grammar Shortcut
Always follow with a noun.
Exemplo
I hope to achieve my goal of reading ten books this year.
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