achievable
gb/ət͡ʃˈivəbəl/ us/ət͡ʃˈivəbəl/
B2
English
Senses
0 senses
adjective
B2
property
1
possible to accomplish
If something is achievable, you can do it or reach it.
Usage pattern:
[goal/task/result] is achievable (with [effort/resources])
Common mistake:
Don’t use achievable for events that happen by themselves; use it mainly for goals, results, or tasks people work toward.
Synonyms
attainable (Slightly more formal; often used for goals or levels.)
|
possible (More general; not always focused on goals.)
|
within reach (Emphasizes nearness to success.)
Antonyms
impossible (Cannot be done at all.)
|
unattainable (Cannot be reached, especially as a goal or standard.)
Collocations
an achievable goal
|an achievable target
|achievable results
|an achievable outcome
|achievable objectives
|achievable in practice
|achievable with enough time
|achievable within a year
|easily achievable
|still achievable
Themes
goals
|work_study
|planning
Examples
- With the right training plan, a sub-four-hour marathon is achievable.
- The team believes the deadline is achievable if they get extra support.
- Cutting costs by 5% is achievable without layoffs.
Learner examples
- This goal is achievable.
- I think it is achievable with practice.
adjective
business
B2
property
2
realistic and not too difficult
If a goal is achievable, it is realistic for you to reach.
Usage pattern:
set [someone] achievable [goals/targets/standards]
Common mistake:
Achievable does not mean “easy”; it means “realistic to do” even if it takes effort.
Synonyms
realistic (Focuses on being sensible, not idealized.)
|
reasonable (Suggests a fair level of difficulty or demand.)
Antonyms
unrealistic (Not sensible or not likely to be reached.)
|
overambitious (Too ambitious to be practical.)
Collocations
set achievable goals
|set achievable targets
|achievable expectations
|achievable standards
|achievable milestones
|achievable plans
|clear and achievable
|reasonable and achievable
|challenging but achievable
|more achievable
Themes
business
|education
|planning
Examples
- The manager set achievable targets so the team wouldn’t burn out.
- Make your first weekly goal small and achievable, then build on it.
- They revised the plan into something more achievable.
Learner examples
- Set achievable goals for this month.
Grammar
Dictionary form
achievable
IPA
GB/ət͡ʃˈivəbəl/
US/ət͡ʃˈivəbəl/
Syllables & stress
achiev - able (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (able)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: achievable
Word family
Core family
achieve
verb B1
achievement
noun B1
Related words
achiever
noun
Negative and opposite forms
unachievable
adjective
Advanced or less common
achievability
noun
overachieve
verb
underachieve
verb
Expressions
an achievable target
1/ən ət͡ʃˈivəbəl tˈɑɹɡət/
fixed phrase
business
a realistic target
A target you can reach.
Examples
- We need an achievable target for Q2, not a wish list.
- Sales hit the achievable target they agreed on in January.
challenging but achievable
1/t͡ʃˈælɪnd͡ʒɪŋ bˈʌt ət͡ʃˈivəbəl/
fixed phrase
difficult yet possible
Hard, but you can do it.
Examples
- The final project is challenging but achievable if you start early.
- She set a challenging but achievable training schedule.
make [something] achievable
1/mˈeɪk sˈʌmθɪŋ ət͡ʃˈivəbəl/
fixed phrase
turn into something possible
Change something so you can do it.
Examples
- They reduced the scope to make the project achievable in six weeks.
- Adding two more staff members would make the timeline achievable.
set achievable goals
1/sˈɛt ət͡ʃˈivəbəl ɡˈoʊlz/
fixed phrase
choose realistic goals
Make goals that you can really reach.
Examples
- If you want to stay motivated, set achievable goals each week.
- The coach helped the players set achievable goals for the season.