attain
Americanverb (used with object)
verb (used without object)
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to arrive at or succeed in reaching or obtaining something (usually followed by to orunto ).
to attain to knowledge.
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to reach in the course of development or growth.
These trees attain to remarkable height.
verb
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(tr) to achieve or accomplish (a task, goal, aim, etc)
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(tr) to reach or arrive at in space or time
to attain old age
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to arrive (at) with effort or exertion
to attain to glory
Synonym Usage
See gain 1.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
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attainernoun
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reattainverb (used with object)
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attainableadjective
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unattainingadjective
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attainabilitynoun
Conjugated Forms
Present
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has attainedperfect 3rd person singular
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have attainedperfect
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has been attainingperfect progressive 3rd person singular
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have been attainingperfect progressive
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attainssingular 3rd person
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is attainingprogressive 3rd person singular
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attainingparticiple
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am attainingprogressive 1st person singular
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are attainingprogressive
Past
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had attainedperfect
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attainedparticiple
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attainedsimple
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had been attainingperfect progressive
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was attainingprogressive singular
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were attainingprogressive plural
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.
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.
You certainly did not attain your wealth alone.
From MarketWatch • May 20, 2026
“In normal life,” Mr. Nguyen writes, “we struggle in order to attain some goal that we really want.”
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 15, 2026
“In China, if they have a long-term goal, they can attain it.”
From Salon • Apr. 9, 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
That is not to say that some classical musicians did not attain fame and success, but these were mostly singers, conductors and virtuoso players, making their names with Verdi, Mahler, Mozart or Wagner.
From "The Story of Music" by Howard Goodall
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.
