accomplishment

[uh-kom-plish-muhnt]

noun

1. an act or instance of carrying into effect; fulfillment.

   the accomplishment of our desires.

   Synonyms: execution, completion
   Antonyms: failure

2. something done admirably or creditably.

   Space exploration is a major accomplishment of science.

3. anything accomplished; deed; achievement.

   a career measured in a series of small accomplishments.

   Synonyms: consummation

4. Often accomplishments.

   1. a grace, skill, or knowledge expected in polite society.

   2. any acquired ability or knowledge.

   Synonyms: proficiency, acquisition

accomplishment

/ əˈkʌm-, əˈkɒmplɪʃmənt /

noun

1. the act of carrying out or achieving

2. something achieved or successfully completed

3. (often plural) skill or talent

4. (often plural) social grace, style, and poise

Other Word Forms

• preaccomplishment noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of accomplishment¹

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English; accomplish + -ment; compare French accomplissement

Example Sentences

Given rational training rather than the then-standard collection of feminine accomplishments, women could, Wollstonecraft argued, prove themselves men’s intellectual equals, become companions in marriage, and play a significant role in civic society.

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Known most of all for his imposing and magnificent dome on the Florence Cathedral, much of the information surrounding his accomplishments has been speculative and contested.

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“The children have a knack for synonyms,” Penelope explained modestly, although she took great pride in her students’ accomplishments, as all good teachers do.

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These extraordinary accomplishments of not only incredible nautical and scientific achievements but also intensely personal stories of courage and determination combine to make every wreck between the covers of this book a compelling human story.

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Republicans, he has argued, haven’t done enough to sell his accomplishments.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• ability 
• achievement 
• capability 
• deed 
• effort 
• exploit 
• feat 
• performance 
• skill 
• talent 
• triumph 

When To Use

What does accomplishment mean?

An accomplishment is something that has been accomplished—achieved, carried out, or finished. To accomplish a goal is to complete it.The word achievement means about the same thing. Accomplish and achieve can be used as synonyms, but they sometimes imply slightly different things. Achieve and achievement often imply the completion of something important or difficult—a lofty goal or a great feat. You can accomplish a lofty goal or a great feat, but the word accomplish itself doesn’t typically imply this. Rather, it usually just means to complete something (regardless of how impressive it is).However, this sense of accomplishment is usually used in the context of the completion of actions or goals that are at least somewhat impressive—or that take a good amount of effort. Graduating high school is an accomplishment. Learning a new language is an accomplishment.Accomplishment can also refer to the act of accomplishing, as in We need to focus on the accomplishment of these goals. This sense of the word doesn’t typically imply impressiveness by itself—it means the same thing as completion.Example: Make sure you list all your major accomplishments on your resume.