arrive
gb/ɚˈaɪv/ us/ɚˈaɪv/
A1
English
~ 800
Senses
0 senses
Verb
A1
action
1
Reach a place at the end of a journey
To get to a place after traveling.
Usage pattern:
to arrive [at/in] [a place]
Common mistake:
Learners often confuse 'arrive in' (for cities and countries) with 'arrive at' (for specific places).
Synonyms
reach (Often interchangeable, but 'reach' can also refer to attaining goals or levels, not just physical places.)
Antonyms
depart (Means to leave a place, which is the opposite of arriving there.)
Collocations
arrive on time
|arrive at the airport
|arrive in the city
|arrive late
|arrive home
Themes
travel
|daily life
|transportation
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- We arrived at the hotel just before midnight.
- The train arrived ten minutes late.
- She arrived in Paris after a long flight.
- They will arrive at the station soon.
- He finally arrived home after the long drive.
Learner examples
- I arrive at school at 8 a.m.
- We arrive in London at night.
- They arrive home after work.
- My friends arrive at the park.
- The bus arrives at the station.
Verb
B1
action
2
Reach a point in time or process
To get to a certain time or part of something happening.
Usage pattern:
to arrive at [a decision/conclusion/time]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use 'arrive to' instead of 'arrive at' when referring to abstract points like decisions or conclusions.
Synonyms
achieve (Implies successfully reaching something through effort; 'arrive' is more neutral.)
Antonyms
miss (To fail to reach a particular stage or moment.)
Collocations
arrive at a decision
|arrive at a conclusion
|arrive at an agreement
Themes
time
|process
|work
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- After hours of discussion, they arrived at an agreement.
- We finally arrived at the conclusion that change was necessary.
- The moment has arrived to take action.
- She arrived at the decision after careful thought.
Learner examples
- We arrive at a decision together.
- They arrive at the answer slowly.
- I arrive at the truth after many questions.
- We arrive at lunch time.
- He arrives at a good idea.
Verb
informal
B2
action
3
Become recognized as successful or important
To become well-known or important in work or life.
Usage pattern:
to arrive as [role/status]
Common mistake:
Learners may take this meaning literally and confuse it with physically reaching a place.
Synonyms
succeed ('Succeed' is broader; 'arrive' here emphasizes recognition or status change.)
Antonyms
fade (To lose importance or attention, opposite of gaining it.)
Collocations
finally arrived
|really arrived
Themes
success
|social life
|work
|business
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She felt she had truly arrived when her book became a bestseller.
- The young actor has finally arrived in Hollywood.
- He knew he had arrived when people started asking for his autograph.
Learner examples
- She arrives as a famous singer.
- He arrives in his job after many years.
- They arrive when their song is on TV.
- He arrives when his name is in the news.
Grammar
Dictionary form
arrive
IPA
GB/ɚˈaɪv/
US/ɚˈaɪv/
Syllables & stress
ar - rive (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (ar)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: arrive
- 3rd Person Singular: arrives
- Present Participle: arriving
- Past: arrived
Word family
Forms
arrives
verb
arriving
verb
arrived
verb
Core family
arrival
noun A2
Expressions
arrive at
1/ɚˈaɪv ˈæt/
phrasal verb
Reach a place or conclusion
To get to a place or to decide something after thinking about it.
Examples
- We arrived at the museum early in the morning.
- After much debate, they arrived at a compromise.
time has arrived
1/tˈaɪm hˈæz ɚˈaɪvd/
fixed phrase
The moment for something has come
It is now the right moment to do something.
Examples
- The time has arrived for us to make changes.
- The time has finally arrived to launch our new product.
when the moment arrives
1/wˈɛn ðə mˈoʊmənt ɚˈaɪvz/
fixed phrase
When the expected time comes
At the time something is planned to happen.
Examples
- We will discuss it when the moment arrives.
- When the moment arrives, you will know what to do.