attain
gb/ətˈeɪn/ us/ətˈeɪn/
B2
English
~ 4700
Senses
0 senses
Verb
B2
action
1
Succeed in achieving something
To get or reach something you want after working for it.
Usage pattern:
to attain [a goal/result/standard]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'attain' with 'obtain'; 'attain' refers to reaching a goal or level, while 'obtain' means to get something physically or abstractly without necessarily implying effort toward a goal.
Synonyms
achieve (More common in everyday speech; 'attain' is slightly more formal.)
|
accomplish (Often used for completing tasks or objectives; less formal than 'attain'.)
Antonyms
fail (Means to not succeed in reaching a goal.)
Collocations
attain a goal
|attain a standard
|attain success
|attain excellence
|attain mastery
Themes
success
|personal development
|work
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- After years of training, she attained her dream of becoming a doctor.
- The company attained record profits last year.
- He finally attained the fitness level he had been aiming for.
- Few athletes attain such high levels of performance.
- They attained their target ahead of schedule.
Learner examples
- She attained her goal of learning English.
- He attained a high score on the test.
- We attained our sales target this month.
- She attained her dream job.
- They attained success after many years.
Verb
B2
action
2
Reach a level or condition
To get to a certain age, size, or level.
Usage pattern:
to attain [an age/height/level]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this use with 'achieve', but here it means physically or figuratively reaching a measurable point, not completing a task.
Synonyms
reach (More general and common; 'attain' is more formal and often used for milestones.)
Antonyms
fall short of (Means to not reach a desired level or state.)
Collocations
attain maturity
|attain adulthood
|attain full height
|attain speed
|attain rank
Themes
measurement
|growth
|progress
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The trees can attain a height of 30 meters.
- He attained the age of 65 before retiring.
- The machine can attain speeds of up to 200 km/h.
- She attained full maturity at age 18.
- The athlete attained peak performance during the competition.
Learner examples
- The boy attained the age of 10.
- This car can attain high speed.
- The tree attained 20 meters in height.
- She attained full health after resting.
- He attained the top level in the game.
Grammar
Dictionary form
attain
IPA
GB/ətˈeɪn/
US/ətˈeɪn/
Syllables & stress
at - tain (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (tain)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: attain
- 3rd Person Singular: attains
- Present Participle: attaining
- Past: attained
Word family
Forms
attains
verb
attaining
verb
attained
verb
Core family
attainment
noun B2
attainable
adjective B2
Negative and opposite forms
unattainable
adjective
Advanced or less common
attainability
noun
unattainability
noun
Expressions
attain maturity
1/ətˈeɪn mət͡ʃˈʊɹəti/
fixed phrase
Reach full growth or development
To become fully grown or developed.
Examples
- The plants attain maturity after two years.
- She attained maturity quickly due to her life experiences.
attain one's goals
1/ətˈeɪn wˈʌnz ɡˈoʊlz/
fixed phrase
Successfully reach personal goals
To succeed in doing what you planned or wanted to do.
Examples
- With hard work, you can attain your goals.
- She attained her goals faster than expected.
attain perfection
1/ətˈeɪn pɚfˈɛkʃən/
fixed phrase
formal
Reach flawless standard
To reach the best possible level of quality.
Examples
- The chef worked for years to attain perfection in his dishes.
- The design has attained perfection through many revisions.