achieve
achieve
Pronunciation
Achieve: /əˈtʃiːv/.
Here's a breakdown of the sounds in each syllable:
a-: /ə/ (the schwa sound, like the 'a' in "about")
-chieve: /tʃiːv/ (the 'ch' sound as in "chair," followed by the long 'ee' sound as in "see," and then the 'v' sound as in "van")
Word Form Variations
Verb: achieve (base form), achieves (third-person singular present), achieving (present participle), achieved (past tense, past participle)
Noun: achievement (singular), achievements (plural)
Adjective: achievable (can be achieved)
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Verb
To successfully reach or bring about a desired objective, result, or state through effort, skill, or courage.
Example: She worked tirelessly to achieve her goal of becoming a doctor.
Synonyms: accomplish, attain, realize, fulfill, complete, execute
Antonyms: fail, lose, miss, forfeit, abandon
To gain or earn something as a result of one's actions or qualities, often something significant or commendable.
Example: He achieved a high level of proficiency in playing the piano after years of practice.
Synonyms: acquire, obtain, procure, garner, win, earn
Antonyms: lose, squander, forfeit, surrender
Noun
Achievement: A thing done successfully with effort, skill, or courage; a notable or brilliant success.
Example: Earning her degree was a significant achievement for her.
Synonyms: accomplishment, feat, exploit, triumph, success, breakthrough
Antonyms: failure, defeat, setback, fiasco, flop
Adjective
Achievable: Capable of being accomplished or brought about.
Example: With enough dedication, any dream is achievable.
Synonyms: attainable, possible, feasible, realistic, practical, workable
Antonyms: impossible, unattainable, unachievable, unrealistic, impractical
Examples of Use
Books:
"Success is not final, failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts." This quote, often attributed to Winston Churchill, embodies the spirit of continuing to achieve despite setbacks, a theme frequently explored in biographies and self-help books.
In the realm of fantasy literature, characters often embark on quests to achieve a specific goal, like Frodo's journey to destroy the One Ring in J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings, which is an overarching objective that drives the entire plot.
Newspapers:
"Kenyan Athletes Achieve Dominance at World Championships" (Daily Nation). This headline highlights a collective success in sports.
An opinion piece might discuss "the challenges of developing countries in their bid to achieve sustainable economic growth" (Op-Ed, The Standard).
Online Publications:
A tech blog might feature an article titled, "How Small Businesses Can Achieve Online Visibility in 2025" (TechCrunch).
An academic journal article abstract might state, "This research aims to achieve a deeper understanding of neural pathways involved in memory formation" (Nature Neuroscience).
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Film: In the movie Apollo 13, the famous line, "Failure is not an option," reflects the team's determination to achieve a safe return for the astronauts despite immense challenges. The film itself chronicles their incredible achievement.
Video Games: Many video games are built around the concept of players completing missions or "achievements" to progress. For instance, a game like The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom requires players to "achieve" various objectives to advance the storyline and unlock new areas.
Music: Song lyrics often speak of striving to achieve personal dreams or overcome obstacles. A motivational song might include lines like, "We're going to achieve greatness together."
Podcasts: A business podcast might feature an interview with an entrepreneur discussing "the strategies they employed to achieve rapid company growth" (e.g., How I Built This with Guy Raz, February 2025).
General Public Discourse:
During a political rally, a candidate might declare, "We will work tirelessly to achieve peace and prosperity for all citizens."
In a school setting, a teacher might tell students, "You can achieve anything you set your mind to."
In everyday conversation, someone might say, "It was a real achievement to finish that marathon," or "I'm trying to achieve a better work-life balance."
10 Quotes Using Achieve
"If you can imagine it, you can achieve it. If you can dream it, you can become it." (William Arthur Ward)
"Only those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatly." (Robert F. Kennedy)
"Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them." (William Shakespeare)
"The meaning of life is not simply to exist, to survive, but to move ahead, to go up, to achieve, to conquer." (Arnold Schwarzenegger)
"A creative man is motivated by the desire to achieve, not by the desire to beat others." (Ayn Rand)
"Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm." (Ralph Waldo Emerson)
"Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence." (Helen Keller)
"When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it." (Paulo Coelho)
"Help others achieve their dreams and you will achieve yours." (Les Brown)
"Whatever the mind of man can conceive and believe, it can achieve." (Napoleon Hill)
Etymology
The word "achieve" has a pretty interesting journey through language!
It comes to us from Old French, specifically the word "achiever." This Old French word meant "to bring to a head, finish, accomplish." You can break it down further into two parts:
"a-" (a prefix meaning "to" or "at")
"chief" (from the Latin word caput, meaning "head").
So, if you think about it literally, "achieve" originally meant something like "to bring to a head" or "to come to the end of something," like reaching the top or the final point.
The first known use of "achieve" in English dates back to the late 13th or early 14th century. At that time, its meaning was very much tied to this original sense of "finishing" or "bringing to a successful conclusion." For example, someone might have said they "achieved" a task, meaning they brought it to its completed state. Over time, the meaning broadened to include the idea of accomplishing something notable or difficult, which is closer to how we use it today.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Achieve
Achieve a goal: To successfully complete a desired objective.
Achieve a milestone: To reach a significant point in progress.
Achieve success: To attain a desired outcome or triumph.
Achieve one's potential: To fully develop and utilize one's abilities.
Achieve greatness: To reach a high level of distinction or importance.
Mission accomplished: A task or objective has been successfully finished. (Uses a synonym, "accomplished")
To get the job done: To successfully complete a necessary task. (Uses a synonym, "done")
To pull off a win: To successfully accomplish a victory, often unexpectedly. (Uses a synonym, "pull off")
To make headway: To make progress or achieve advancement.
To hit the mark: To succeed in achieving an aim or standard. (Implies achieving an objective)
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of achieve from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
