attain

American  

[uh-teyn] / əˈteɪn /

verb (used with object)

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

   to attain one's goals.

   Synonyms:

   secure

   Antonyms:

   miss

2. 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

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verb (used without object)

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

   to attain to knowledge.

2. to reach in the course of development or growth.

   These trees attain to remarkable height.

attain British  

/ əˈteɪn /

verb

1. (tr) to achieve or accomplish (a task, goal, aim, etc)

2. (tr) to reach or arrive at in space or time

   to attain old age

3. to arrive (at) with effort or exertion

   to attain to glory

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Related Words

See gain ¹.

Other Word Forms

• attainability noun
• attainable adjective
• attainer noun
• reattain verb (used with object)
• unattaining adjective

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.

Example Sentences

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

From Salon • Apr. 9, 2026

But perspective is everything, and something difficult to attain when following daily, hourly, or even minute-by-minute movements.

From Barron's • Mar. 31, 2026

At High Desert Test Sites, Zittel’s famous A-Z West escape pods are no longer used for camping after the city said the nonprofit would have to attain a commercial camping permit to continue.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 31, 2026

Pereira was arrested in his room at an asylum hotel in Uxbridge, west London, and told officers about his "long and tireless battle with the Home Office to try to attain asylum", said the prosecutor.

From BBC • Feb. 28, 2026

In fact, he was realizing that the magazine pictures were pretending to reach this level of wealth, and yet somehow had no idea how to attain it.

From "Ship Breaker" by Paolo Bacigalupi

Related Words

• complete
• earn
• gain
• obtain
• promote
• reach
• realize
• reap
• secure