attain

verb at·tain \ə-ˈtān\

: to accomplish or achieve (something) : to succeed in getting or doing (something)

: to grow or increase to (a particular amount, size, etc.)

Full Definition of ATTAIN

transitive verb

: to reach as an end : gain, achieve <attain a goal>

: to come into possession of : obtain <he attained preferment over his fellows>

: to come to as the end of a progression or course of movement <they attained the top of the hill> <attain a ripe old age>

intransitive verb

: to come or arrive by motion, growth, or effort —usually used with to

— at·tain·abil·i·ty \-ˌtā-nə-ˈbi-lə-tē\ noun

— at·tain·able \-ˈtā-nə-bəl\ adjective

See attain defined for English-language learners

See attain defined for kids

Origin of ATTAIN

Middle English atteynen, from Anglo-French ateign-, stem of ateindre to reach, accomplish, convict, from Vulgar Latin *attangere, alteration of Latin attingere, from ad- + tangere to touch — more at tangent

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to ATTAIN

Synonyms: achieve, bag, chalk up, clock (up) [chiefly British], gain, hit, log, make, notch (up), rack up, ring up, score, win

Antonyms: forfeit, lose

ATTAINABLE Defined for Kids

attain

verb at·tain \ə-ˈtān\

at·tainedat·tain·ing

Definition of ATTAIN for Kids

: to accomplish or achieve <attain a goal>

: to come into possession of : obtain <attain knowledge>

: to reach or come to gradually : arrive at <… surely no bug in all the Land of Oz had ever before attained so enormous a size. — L. Frank Baum, The Marvelous Land of Oz>

— at·tain·able \ə-ˈtā-nə-bəl\ adjective <Are your goals attainable?>