Achievement: meaning, definitions and examples

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achievement

 

[ əˈtʃiːvmənt ]

Context #1 | Noun

personal development

Something accomplished, especially by superior ability, special effort, great courage, or a great deed.

Synonyms

accomplishment, attainment, success.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
achievement

Use this word when referring to reaching a significant goal or milestone, particularly after much effort and hard work.

  • Her graduation was a major achievement.
  • Winning the championship was his greatest achievement.
accomplishment

Use this term to highlight the completion of a task or project, often implying a sense of satisfaction or pride.

  • Completing the marathon was a huge accomplishment for him.
  • Building the treehouse was a real accomplishment.
attainment

This word is often used in a more formal context, referring to the act of reaching a high level of skill, knowledge, or an objective.

  • Her attainment of a PhD was the result of years of hard work.
  • The attainment of financial independence is a common goal.
success

Use this word when you want to emphasize the favorable outcome of an endeavor or the achievement of something desired.

  • The success of their business was due to their hard work.
  • They celebrated the success of the new product launch.

Examples of usage

  • Winning the competition was a great achievement for her.
  • Graduating from college was a significant achievement in his life.
Context #2 | Noun

education

The act of finishing or completing a task, course, or project.

Synonyms

accomplishment, completion, fulfillment.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
achievement

Achievement is often used to refer to something meaningful and impressive that was hard to accomplish, especially in fields like academics, sports, or work.

  • Winning the Nobel Prize is a significant achievement.
  • Graduating with honors is an achievement you should be proud of.
accomplishment

Accomplishment generally focuses on the successful completion of a task or goal, particularly when it required effort and skill.

  • Learning a new language is quite an accomplishment.
  • Completing the marathon was a major accomplishment for her.
completion

Completion emphasizes the act of finishing something, often used in a neutral or formal context, such as projects, assignments, or courses.

  • The completion of the project was scheduled for June.
  • Upon completion of your degree, you will receive your diploma.
fulfillment

Fulfillment is about achieving a sense of satisfaction or happiness, often tied to personal goals, ambitions, or dreams.

  • She found fulfillment in her career as a teacher.
  • The fulfillment of his lifelong dream brought him great joy.

Examples of usage

  • Receiving a diploma was a major achievement for the students.
  • Finishing the research project was a significant achievement for the team.
Context #3 | Noun

workplace

The result of hard work or effort in a professional setting, often leading to recognition or advancement.

Synonyms

accomplishment, milestone, success.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
achievement

Used to describe the act of achieving something significant after hard work and effort. Often associated with personal goals and aspirations.

  • Winning the marathon was a significant achievement for him
  • Completing the project on time was an incredible achievement for the team
accomplishment

Similar to achievement but can refer to the completion of tasks or goals, not necessarily as grand or significant. It often carries a sense of fulfillment.

  • Learning to play the piano was a big accomplishment for her
  • Graduating from college is an accomplishment that takes years of dedication
success

Describes the favorable or desired outcome of an endeavor or the attainment of fame, wealth, or social status. It often has a positive connotation.

  • The business was a huge success after launching the new product
  • He finally found success as an author after many years of effort
milestone

Used for significant points or stages in a process, often marking progress or a major event. It can be both in professional and personal contexts.

  • Their first anniversary was a major milestone in their relationship
  • Reaching 1,000 customers was a milestone for the startup

Examples of usage

  • Getting promoted was a great achievement for him.
  • Completing the project ahead of schedule was a remarkable achievement for the team.

Translations

Translations of the word "achievement" in other languages:

🇵🇹 realização

🇮🇳 उपलब्धि

🇩🇪 Leistung

🇮🇩 pencapaian

🇺🇦 досягнення

🇵🇱 osiągnięcie

🇯🇵 達成 (たっせい)

🇫🇷 réalisation

🇪🇸 logro

🇹🇷 başarı

🇰🇷 성취

🇸🇦 تحقيق

🇨🇿 dosažení

🇸🇰 dosiahnutie

🇨🇳 成就 (chéngjiù)

🇸🇮 dosežek

🇮🇸 árangur

🇰🇿 жетістік

🇬🇪 მიღწევა

🇦🇿 nailiyyət

🇲🇽 logro

Etymology

The word 'achievement' originated from the Old French word 'achevement', which means completion or accomplishment. It entered the English language in the late 14th century. The concept of achievement has always been associated with success, accomplishment, and reaching goals. Throughout history, achievements in various fields such as science, art, and sports have been celebrated and recognized as milestones of human progress.

See also: achievable, achieved, achievements, achiever, achieving, overachiever, overachieving, unachievable, unachieved, underachievement, underachiever.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #3,349, this word is part of upper-intermediate vocabulary. While not among the most basic terms, it appears often enough to be valuable for advanced communication.