achieve
Americanverb (used with object)
verb (used without object)
verb
-
to bring to a successful conclusion; accomplish; attain
-
to gain as by hard work or effort
to achieve success
Related Words
See do 1.
Other Word Forms
- achievable adjective
- achiever noun
- outachieve verb (used with object)
- preachieved adjective
- superachiever noun
- unachievable adjective
- unachieved adjective
- well-achieved adjective
Etymology
Origin of achieve
First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English acheven, from Old French achever “to finish,” from phrase a chef “to (the) head,” i.e., “to conclusion”; chief
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“You think every time you achieve something or have success that you’ll be happy, but then the goal posts move,” McIlroy said.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 9, 2026
"We're right back into it because we've got more to achieve," the group say.
From BBC • Apr. 8, 2026
“We have been joking, ‘find someone to believe in you like the bond market believes in the Fed’s ability to achieve its inflation target’,” she added.
From Barron's • Apr. 7, 2026
You think every time you achieve something or have success that you’ll be happy, but then the goalposts move.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 7, 2026
“I promise we’ll remember the little people when we achieve egg drop stardom.”
From "The Science of Breakable Things" by Tae Keller
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
