achievement
noun (countable)
UKəˈtʃiːv.məntUSəˈtʃiːv.mənt
something that someone has succeeded in doing, especially after a lot of effort or skill
Example Sentences
Her promotion to manager was a significant achievement in her career.
Completing a marathon is an achievement that requires considerable training and stamina.
The ability to speak multiple languages fluently is often seen as a remarkable achievement, demonstrating dedication, persistence, and a passion for cultural exchange.
The team celebrated their achievement of surpassing all sales targets for the quarter.
For many people, finishing university is seen as an important academic achievement.
Consistently saving money each month to buy a house is no small achievement, especially in a tough economy.
Space exploration stands out as a profound achievement of humanity, reflecting decades of scientific breakthroughs and international cooperation that have broadened our understanding of the universe.
Achieving a work-life balance can be a difficult but rewarding personal achievement, helping individuals lead healthier, more fulfilling lives.
Thesaurus
Synonyms
Antonyms
How to Use
Fulfillment or result of successfully completing a goal or overcoming challenges.“Achievement” functions as a noun that highlights the successful completion of goals, whether large or small. In everyday usage, it can refer to a wide range of personal, professional, or social milestones. Some achievements might be daily victories—like finishing all your tasks on time—while others are life-defining, such as earning a degree, starting a successful business, or overcoming a significant hurdle.When you talk about an achievement, you generally emphasize the determined effort and focus that led to the goal’s completion. Students might discuss achievements in terms of academic honors, test scores, or finishing important projects. In the workplace, achievements frequently revolve around promotions, meeting quotas, or establishing new initiatives that push an organization forward. In personal development contexts, achievements might involve adopting healthier habits or mastering new skills.Because “achievement” strongly implies that someone put in work or overcame obstacles, specifying the steps or timeline involved can give more weight to the accomplishment. For instance, if your achievement was running a marathon, you might highlight months of training, changes in diet, or the mental discipline required. By illustrating the journey in conjunction with the outcome, “achievement” transforms from a mere result to a narrative of perseverance, growth, and eventual success. This detailed depiction can inspire others or reinforce your own sense of purpose.In formal communication—such as business reports or resumes—“achievement” often appears in bullet points highlighting completed projects, milestones, or contributions to a team. It helps stakeholders or potential employers see the scope of your abilities, particularly if you include measurable data like increased sales percentages or the size of a client base you managed. In personal conversations, using “achievement” can be a way to applaud others’ successes or to reflect on your own progress with pride. Whichever the scenario, “achievement” underlines that an important goal has been reached, lending a positive, success-oriented connotation.
Alternatives
To convey the idea of achieving a milestone or completing a notable success, you can choose from a variety of related terms and phrases. If you wish to highlight the idea of reaching a pinnacle or fulfilling high aspirations, “accomplishment” closely parallels “achievement,” emphasizing the completion and potential obstacles that were overcome. “Attainment” underscores the notion of arriving at a desired level or status, while “feat” or “triumph” carry a stronger tone of difficulty or bravery in reaching the goal.“Success” is more general, indicating a positive result that met or exceeded certain criteria. If you want to focus on fulfilling a personal or moral duty, “realization” or “fulfillment” may fit, emphasizing an internal sense of having met an important aim or dream. “Milestone” works best when you need to point out a significant marker along a journey—either personal or professional—rather than the final result. Each term highlights different nuances, from the scale of difficulty to the emotional or factual impact of what was accomplished. By selecting the most fitting synonym, you can fine-tune the narrative around the efforts, challenges, and significance of the outcome.
Writing
In writing, “achievement” often appears in contexts where the narrative or argument celebrates perseverance, highlights results, and underscores the value of hard work or skill. For instance, in a cover letter or résumé, it’s common to list notable achievements to demonstrate capabilities, especially if they involve measurable outcomes or concrete examples. Sharing achievements can help establish a writer’s authority, reliability, or expertise.When crafting essays or longer-form narratives, you might use “achievement” as a central theme, tracing a protagonist’s journey from initial struggle to ultimate success. Such writing can showcase lessons learned—like resilience, creativity, or collaboration—as well as the tangible benefits reaped from the effort. If you’re outlining a company’s progress in a white paper, enumerating achievements reinforces the narrative that the organization is growing or reaching benchmarks. It also lends credibility to strategic decisions and resource allocations.To write effectively about achievements, clarity is key. Offer readers context: why was the achievement important, what hurdles were faced, and how did you or the subject of your writing overcome them? Concrete details—numbers, data, timelines—can bring the story to life. For instance, “We increased annual revenue by 30% through a focused digital campaign” has more impact than simply saying “We achieved a successful campaign.” Accuracy and depth create a convincing argument about the significance of the accomplishments, encouraging readers to trust or admire your subject’s determination and success trajectory.
Casual Conversation
In everyday conversation, “achievement” can capture both big and small successes—anything from finishing a long-overdue chore to landing a long-sought career role. Telling friends, “That’s such a big achievement!” conveys enthusiasm and validation, showing that you recognize how important the milestone is to them. Conversely, you might describe your own recent win—like completing a do-it-yourself project or mastering a new recipe—as a personal achievement.A casual chat might not need as many formal details. Still, context helps listeners appreciate why an achievement matters. Maybe you mention how you overcame stage fright to give a speech at a wedding—sharing that “public speaking was a big hurdle for me, so finally delivering that toast was a major achievement.” Such stories show vulnerability and highlight the effort that went into the achievement.Using “achievement” with friends or family also sets a supportive tone. It signals that you value their accomplishments and can help foster motivation or mutual celebration. Even smaller milestones—like beating a tough video game boss or maintaining a workout routine for a month—can become achievements worth cheering for. By acknowledging these smaller yet personally significant victories, you and those around you build a positive environment that recognizes incremental growth and continuous effort.
Etymology
The word “achievement” originates from the Middle English “achieven,” which evolved from the Old French “achever,” meaning “to bring to a head or to end.” In turn, “achever” combines “a-” (to) with “chief” (head), capturing the idea of bringing something to its conclusion or peak. Over time, this linguistic root took on the connotation of successfully concluding a challenging endeavor.During the Middle Ages, the concept of “achievement” often revolved around feats of valor, like winning battles or completing knightly quests, reflecting the historical context where triumph in challenges was paramount. As societies shifted from feudal systems to more diverse economies and social structures, the term “achievement” expanded to include civilian, educational, and artistic accomplishments. In modern usage, it encompasses any form of reaching a milestone—big or small, personal or collective. That root sense of bringing something to its ultimate conclusion persists, echoing the belief that success is the culmination of persistence, passion, and often a fair share of determination.