achieve

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   to gain with effort

   I achieved my goal despite setbacks.

2. 2
   verb

   To carry out successfully; to accomplish.

   achieve goals

3. 3
   verb

   To conclude, finish, especially successfully.

   Full many Countreyes they did overronne, From the uprising to the setting Sunne, And many hard adventures did atchieve […]

4. 4
   verb

   To obtain, or gain (a desired result, objective etc.), as the result of exertion; to succeed in gaining; to win.

   I was about to say that I had known the Celebrity from the time he wore kilts. But I see I will have to amend that, because he was not a celebrity then, nor, indeed, did he achieve fame until some time after I left New York for the West.

5. 5
   verb

   To obtain (a material thing).

   He hath achieved a maid That paragons description.

6. 6
   verb

   To succeed in something, now especially in academic performance.

7. 7
   verb

   To conclude, to turn out.

Etymology

From Middle English achieven, acheven, from Anglo-Norman achever, Old French achever, achiever et al., apparently from Late Latin *accapāre, from ad (“to”) + caput (“head”) + -ō (verbal suffix), or alternatively a construction based on Old French chief (“head”). Compare Catalan, Occitan, Portuguese and Spanish acabar, French achever.