accomplished

American  

[uh-kom-plisht] / əˈkɒm plɪʃt /

adjective

1. completed; done; effected.

   an accomplished fact.

2. highly skilled; expert.

   an accomplished pianist.

3. having all the social graces, manners, and other attainments of polite society.

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accomplished British  

/ əˈkʌm-, əˈkɒmplɪʃt /

adjective

1. successfully completed; achieved

2. expert; proficient

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Usage

What does accomplished mean? Accomplished is used to describe someone who has achieved many impressive things in life or in their career. The verb accomplish means "to carry out or finish an action—to complete what you set out to do." To accomplish a goal is to complete it. Some who is considered accomplished has accomplished a lot. The word is especially used to indicate that a person is very experienced, skilled, and perhaps awarded in their field. It is often paired with words for different professions or hobbies, as in accomplished pianist, accomplished surgeon, and accomplished baker. The word can also be used to describe a work that is considered a special achievement, as in His new album is an accomplished entry in his catalog of work. Example: Tina is an accomplished coder—you could learn a lot from her.

Other Word Forms

• superaccomplished adjective
• well-accomplished adjective

Etymology

Origin of accomplished

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English; accomplish + -ed ²

Explanation

The adjective accomplished is useful for describing someone who's very good at something. You might use it to talk about yourself if you are an accomplished — or highly skilled — sword swallower. An accomplished ice skater is someone who can do one of those fancy twirls on the ice, and an accomplished cupcake baker is someone you want to be friends with. Another way to use the word accomplished is to mean "successfully completed or finished." You might say, "I accomplished my goal of climbing the highest mountain east of the Mississippi River." Next up: Everest.

Example Sentences

But even seasoned counterterrorism analysts struggle to recall what he’s accomplished as its supposed leader.

From Slate • Apr. 21, 2026

Peter Stolypin, one of the most accomplished Russian statesmen of the era, loathed Rasputin but couldn’t convince the czar to banish him.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 17, 2026

Kompany, though, commands respect from players given his accomplished playing career - and he is also well known for speaking clearly and thinking intelligently.

From BBC • Apr. 15, 2026

In winning consecutive Masters — a feat not accomplished since Tiger Woods did it in 2002 — McIlroy joins Nicklaus, Nick Faldo and Woods in one of golf’s most exclusive fraternities.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 12, 2026

She was good enough for Mr. Elton, no doubt; accomplished enough for Highbury—handsome enough—to look plain, probably, by Harriet’s side.

From "Emma" by Jane Austen

Related Words

• adept
• consummate
• gifted
• polished
• proficient
• skillful
• talented