attain
verb /əˈteɪn/
/əˈteɪn/
(formal)Verb Forms
| present simple I / you / we / they attain | /əˈteɪn/ /əˈteɪn/ |
| he / she / it attains | /əˈteɪnz/ /əˈteɪnz/ |
| past simple attained | /əˈteɪnd/ /əˈteɪnd/ |
| past participle attained | /əˈteɪnd/ /əˈteɪnd/ |
| -ing form attaining | /əˈteɪnɪŋ/ /əˈteɪnɪŋ/ |
- attain something to succeed in getting something, usually after a lot of effort
- Most of our students attained five ‘A’ grades in their exams.
- We only consider applicants who have attained a high level of academic achievement.
- attain (a) degree/standard/level/proficiency/mastery
- attain something to reach a particular age, level or condition
- The cheetah can attain speeds of up to 97 kph.
Word OriginMiddle English (in the senses ‘bring to justice’ and ‘reach a state’): from Old French ateindre, from Latin attingere, from ad- ‘at, to’ + tangere ‘to touch’.