ENGLISH WORD FILE NO. 00764 · Core CSAT & TOEIC Vocabulary
attain
v.
US/əˈteɪn/
UK/əˈteɪn/
CSAT Frequency72/100
TOEIC Frequency65/100
02
Meanings of attain
1verb
To succeed in achieving or reaching a goal, position, or level after effort.
She worked hard to attain her dream of becoming a doctor.
She worked hard to attain her dream of becoming a doctor.
The company attained record profits last year despite economic challenges.
The company attained record profits last year despite economic challenges.
03
Derivatives of attain
attainment
achievement (noun)
Educational attainment is a strong predictor of career success.
Educational attainment is a strong predictor of career success.
attainable
achievable, reachable (adjective)
With proper planning, your goals are attainable within two years.
With proper planning, your goals are attainable within two years.
unattainable
impossible to achieve (adjective)
Some critics argue that perfection is an unattainable ideal.
Some critics argue that perfection is an unattainable ideal.
04
Synonyms & Antonyms of attain
05
Common Phrases with attain
attain a goalattain a goal
attain successattain success
attain independenceattain independence
attain the highest levelattain the highest level
attain proficiencyattain proficiency
06
Practice Question: attain
Choose the best word for the blank
After years of dedicated study, she finally ___ fluency in Mandarin Chinese.
- A attaining
- B attains
- C attained
- D attain
The simple past tense 'attained' is correct because the sentence describes a completed action in the past ('after years of study, she finally...'), requiring past tense.