Synonyms

attain

American

[uh-teyn] / əˈteɪn /

verb (used with object)

to reach, achieve, or accomplish; gain; obtain.

to attain one's goals.

Synonyms:

secure

Antonyms:

miss
to come to or arrive at, especially after some labor or tedium; reach.

to attain the age of 96;
to attain the mountain peak.

Antonyms:

miss

verb (used without object)

to arrive at or succeed in reaching or obtaining something (usually followed by to orunto ).

to attain to knowledge.
to reach in the course of development or growth.

These trees attain to remarkable height.

attain British

/ əˈteɪn /

verb

(tr) to achieve or accomplish (a task, goal, aim, etc)
(tr) to reach or arrive at in space or time

to attain old age
to arrive (at) with effort or exertion

to attain to glory

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Synonym Usage

See gain ¹.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

Inflected Forms

Participles

Conjugated Forms

Present

Past

Future

Etymology

Origin of attain

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English atei(g)nen, from Anglo-French, Old French ateign- (stem of ateindre ), from unattested Vulgar Latin attangere (for Latin attingere ), equivalent to Latin at- at- + tangere “to touch”

Explanation

The verb attain is all about reaching some mark of achievement. You can attain a goal. You can even attain a destination. If you consistently have the highest grades in your class, you'll probably attain a reputation for success. Attain derives in part from the Latin tangere, "to touch," which is also at the root of retain, "to keep," obtain, "to get," and contain, "to control." One might obtain the discipline to contain one's emotions while studying, thereby attaining control and retaining more information.

Keep Reading on Vocabulary.com

Vocabulary lists containing attain

Vocabulary from the Constitution of the United States

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Richard Nixon's "Checkers" Speech (1952)

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"The Book Thief" by Markus Zusak, Part Six

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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.

Only then can one attain a view like this and perhaps, with a naked eye, see mountains as they see each other.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 1, 2026

You certainly did not attain your wealth alone.

From MarketWatch • May 20, 2026

Global talent visas - which the Home Office offers to senior workers in the science, digital technology, and arts and culture sector - are much more difficult to attain, Turner said.

From BBC • May 13, 2026

“In China, if they have a long-term goal, they can attain it.”

From Salon • Apr. 9, 2026

“He wanted to attain a position where he would be honored and respected. He wanted wealth.”

From "The Devil in the White City" by Erik Larson

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023