attainable
gb/ətˈeɪnəbəl/ us/ətˈeɪnəbəl/
B2
English
Senses
0 senses
adjective
B2
property
1
possible to achieve
Possible to do or achieve.
Usage pattern:
an attainable [goal/target/standard]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use attainable when they mean available to buy; in that case obtainable may fit better.
Synonyms
achievable (More common and direct in everyday speech.)
|
realistic (Emphasizes practicality rather than possibility.)
|
within reach (Highlights that success is close or likely.)
Antonyms
unattainable (Not possible to achieve.)
|
impossible (Cannot be done at all.)
Collocations
an attainable goal
|an attainable target
|an attainable objective
|an attainable standard
|an attainable level
|an attainable outcome
|an attainable ideal
|an attainable ambition
|a more attainable aim
|an easily attainable result
Themes
goals
|planning
|work
|education
Examples
- Set yourself attainable goals so you can measure your progress.
- With regular practice, fluency becomes an attainable result.
- They lowered the target to make it more attainable for new staff.
Learner examples
- This goal is attainable.
- We need an attainable plan.
adjective
C1
property
2
possible to reach a place
Possible to reach.
Usage pattern:
attainable for [someone] / attainable by [someone]
Common mistake:
Do not use attainable for something you can physically touch right now; reachable or accessible is often more natural.
Synonyms
reachable (Most natural for physical reaching.)
|
accessible (Often implies ease of access or availability of routes.)
Antonyms
unreachable (Cannot be reached.)
|
inaccessible (Difficult or impossible to get to.)
Collocations
an attainable height
|an attainable speed
|an attainable destination
|an attainable summit
|an attainable range
|an attainable altitude
|an attainable distance
|an attainable rank
|an attainable position
|an attainable milestone
Themes
travel
|sports
|daily_life
Examples
- The upper trail is steep but still attainable for fit hikers.
- At that pace, a sub-four-hour finish is attainable.
- The village is attainable only by boat during the rainy season.
Learner examples
- The top is attainable from here.
adjective
C1
property
3
possible to obtain or secure
Possible to get.
Usage pattern:
attainable for [someone] (e.g., an attainable price)
Common mistake:
Attainable is less common than obtainable/available when talking about products; it often suggests affordability or realistic access.
Synonyms
obtainable (More specific to getting or acquiring something.)
|
available (Focuses on being on offer or present, not on effort.)
Antonyms
unobtainable (Cannot be obtained.)
|
out of reach (Not realistically accessible, often due to cost or circumstances.)
Collocations
an attainable price
|an attainable income
|an attainable salary
|an attainable loan
|an attainable deal
|an attainable benefit
|an attainable opportunity
|an attainable resource
|an attainable advantage
|an attainable offer
Themes
money
|shopping
|business
Examples
- They redesigned the product to make the price more attainable for students.
- Home ownership feels attainable again as interest rates fall.
- The grant makes training attainable for people on low incomes.
Learner examples
- The new price is attainable for me.
Grammar
Dictionary form
attainable
IPA
GB/ətˈeɪnəbəl/
US/ətˈeɪnəbəl/
Syllables & stress
at - tain - able (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (tain)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: attainable
Word family
Core family
attain
verb B2
attainment
noun B2
Negative and opposite forms
unattainable
adjective
Advanced or less common
attainability
noun
Expressions
No expressions linked to this entry yet.