accomplishment

American  

[uh-kom-plish-muhnt] / əˈkɒm plɪʃ mənt /

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 British  

/ 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

---

Usage

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.

Other Word Forms

• preaccomplishment noun

Etymology

Origin of accomplishment

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

Example Sentences

He puffs out his chest, like this is a huge accomplishment.

From Literature

Asked how he felt after winning a bronze medal at the Milan-Cortina Games, Lægreid said in Norwegian that the accomplishment was “huge” and went on thank everyone who had helped and supported him.

From Los Angeles Times

Beyond wasteful projects, the crown prince has had accomplishments in the first decade of his Vision 2030 plan to transform the kingdom from dependence on oil.

From The Wall Street Journal

She did not shout, because there was no one to hear her, but the thrill of accomplishment propelled her forward, even without an appreciative audience.

From Literature

The following day any sign of that feeling of accomplishment vanished.

From BBC

Related Words

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