arrive
verb (intransitive)
UK/əˈraɪv/US/əˈraɪv/
to reach a destination or come to a particular place; to happen or occur
Example Sentences
They will arrive at the airport in the early morning.
When does your train arrive in the station?
Please text me as soon as you arrive safely.
The guests are expected to arrive before the party starts.
We were relieved to finally arrive at the hotel after a long journey.
She’ll arrive just in time for dinner if traffic isn’t too bad.
After months of anticipation, the new product line is set to arrive in stores nationwide next week, sparking excitement among loyal customers eager to try out the latest innovations.
Because of unexpected delays, they didn’t arrive at the venue until the ceremony had already started, causing them to miss the opening remarks and scramble to find available seating.
Thesaurus
Synonyms
Antonyms
How to Use
To come to a place or endpoint, often concluding a journeyWhen using the verb “arrive,” you generally indicate that a person or object has reached a specific destination after a journey or a period of waiting. You might say, “We arrived at the concert hall just in time,” highlighting the completion of travel. In day-to-day activities, it could be something as simple as, “I arrive at work around nine,” referring to a regular schedule. In more formal writing, you might use it in a context such as, “The researcher arrived at a surprising conclusion after extensive experimentation,” where the idea of ‘arriving’ can be both literal and metaphorical. Be mindful of your tense: “arrive” in present contexts, “arrived” for completed actions, and “arriving” for ongoing or future scenarios. Depending on the formality, you may also pair the verb with prepositions like “at,” “in,” or “on,” depending on the nature of the destination (e.g., “arrive at the station,” “arrive in London,” “arrive on time”). Always confirm that the subject clearly transitions from a prior location or state to a new one, ensuring your reader or listener fully understands the completion or nearing-completion of the travel or process described.
Alternatives
There are several synonyms and related phrases you can use to avoid repetition or to adjust your tone when you want to express that someone has reached a destination. For instance, “reach” and “get to” are common alternatives suitable for casual conversation: “We’ll get to the restaurant around seven.” In more formal or dramatic contexts, “come to,” “make it to,” or “touch down” (for flights) can vary the language. “Reach” may work better if you want to emphasize the effort or distance involved, as in, “They finally reached the summit after a ten-hour climb.” Meanwhile, “show up” or “turn up” can convey an element of spontaneity or surprise in more relaxed scenarios. Each option fine-tunes how you portray the nature and context of arriving—whether it’s methodical, last-minute, or purely routine. By mixing these expressions into your writing or conversation, you’ll keep your language fresh and adapt it to a wide range of contexts, from casual hangouts to formal reports or events.
Writing
When it comes to writing, “arrive” is a concise verb that effectively signals the culmination of a journey or the transition into a new setting. It works well in narratives to mark significant plot points, such as a character stepping onto a new scene, or in academic and professional writing to indicate reaching a conclusion or discovery. For example, in a research paper, “arrive at a conclusion” emphasizes the point at which findings are finalized. In fiction, “arrive at the fortress” might convey both physical movement and emotional tension. However, keep in mind the pace and tone of your piece: too many instances of “arrive” may feel repetitive or mechanical. Spice things up with synonyms like “reach,” “come to,” or “show up,” depending on the level of formality and the narrative context. In descriptions, provide sufficient background or buildup so your reader understands why the arrival matters. By consciously selecting your wording and supporting details, you’ll craft stronger transitions and engage readers more effectively. Good writing hinges on clarity and variety, so while “arrive” is useful, don’t shy away from exploring other methods of expressing the end of a journey or discovery.
Casual Conversation
In everyday conversation, “arrive” and its variants make it easy to talk about coming or showing up at a specific place. You might say, “I’ll arrive at the party by eight,” or “He arrived late to the movie.” These phrases keep your chats straightforward and help you communicate plans effortlessly. If you’re with friends, you can switch to synonyms like “get there,” “show up,” or “make it” to maintain a relaxed, friendly tone—for instance, “I’m trying to make it before the opening band starts.” Meanwhile, if you need to emphasize punctuality, you might say, “I usually arrive right on time.” By choosing your words based on how casual or formal the setting is, you’ll convey the right mood without sounding too stiff or overly vague. Just remember that “arrive” often carries a sense of completion, which can help underscore the importance of being somewhere at a specific moment. As long as you’re clear and mindful of context, you’ll find that “arrive” (and its substitutes) fit seamlessly into all kinds of day-to-day dialogues.
Etymology
The verb “arrive” can be traced back to late Middle English, stemming from the Old French “ariver,” which itself originated from the Vulgar Latin “arripare.” Literally, “arripare” meant “to come to shore,” combining “ad-” (to) and “ripa” (shore). Over time, the term’s meaning expanded beyond the specific notion of landing on a coastline, encompassing any instance of reaching a destination. This maritime history lingers in the sense of completing a journey, reflecting how people once charted lengthy voyages over seas and rivers. As international trade and exploration grew, the need to describe the final act of travel persisted, giving “arrive” a permanent place in English. Whether referencing the end of an overseas adventure, a cross-country trip, or a short walk down the street, the word retains echoes of its nautical origins—signifying the moment the traveler steps onto new ground.
