🇺🇸
/əˈteɪn/
🇺🇸
/əˈteɪn/
🇬🇧
/əˈteɪn/
🇬🇧
/əˈteɪn/
Past Tense
attained
Past Participle
attained
Gerund
attaining
3rd Person
attains
Attain means to succeed in getting or achieving something, especially after effort, time, or growth — like finally grabbing the prize you've been reaching for. It’s often used for meaningful, challenging, or long-term accomplishments (e.g., 'She attained fluency in Japanese after five years of study').
After years of dedicated practice, she finally attained her black belt in karate.
The company aims to attain carbon neutrality by 2030.
He worked tirelessly to attain the trust and respect of his colleagues.
It is possible to attain fluency in a second language with consistent immersion and study.
Only a few scientists have ever attained the Nobel Prize more than once.
ten
Comes from the Latin verb 'tenēre', meaning 'to hold' or 'to keep'. This root conveys the idea of holding, possessing, or maintaining something — often extended metaphorically to 'holding onto' a goal, state, or achievement. Examples include attain, contain, detain, maintain, retain, sustain, tenacious, tenure.
ad
Comes from the Latin prefix 'ad-', meaning 'to' or 'toward'. It indicates direction, approach, or addition, and frequently combines with verbs to express movement toward a goal or result. Examples include attain, adapt, adopt, adhere, advance, address.