Word.ws English Dictionary

attain

Syllables: at·tainUK/əˈteɪn/

attain verb: to come to or reach (a place) by motion or progression.

Verb

attain (third-person singular simple present attains, present participle attaining, simple past and past participle attained)

  1. (transitive) To come to or reach (a place) by motion or progression.
    • Canaan he novv attains, I ſee his Tents / Pitcht about Sechem, and the neighbouring Plaine / Of Moreh; […]1667, John Milton, “Book X”, in Paradise Lost. […], London: […] [Samuel Simmons], and are to be sold by Peter Parker […]; [a]nd by Robert Boulter […]; [a]nd Matthias Walker, […], →OCLC, signature...
    • Now had they almost attained / The palace portal.1805, Robert Southey, “Canto I”, in Madoc, London: […] [F]or Longman, Hurst, Rees, and Orme, and A[rchibald] Constable and Co, […], by James Ballantyne, […], →OCLC, part I (Madoc in Wales), page 7
  2. (figuratively, transitive) To arrive at (a certain age or time, condition or state, etc.); to reach.
    • Night hangs vpon mine eyes, my Bones vvould reſt, / That have but labour'd, to attaine this houre.1599 (first performance), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Iulius Cæsar”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward]...
    • It has also been aſſerted, by ſome naturaliſts, that men do not attain their full grovvth and ſtrength till thirty; but that vvomen arrive at maturity by tvventy.1791 (date written), Mary Wollstonecraft, “Observations on the State of Degradation to which Woman is Reduced by Various Causes”, in A Vindication of the Rights of Woman: With Strictures on Political...
  3. (figuratively, transitive) To gain (a desired result or other objective) through effort; to accomplish, to achieve.
    • To attain such a high level of proficiency requires hours of practice each day.
    • Roſse [William de Ros, 6th Baron Ros]. Your preſence makes Vs rich, moſt noble Lord. / VVil. [William Willoughby, 5th Baron Willoughby de Eresby]. And far ſurmounts our labour to attaine it.1595 December 9 (first known performance), [William Shakespeare], The Tragedie of King Richard the Second. […] (First Quarto), London: […] Valentine Simmes for Androw Wise, […], published 1597...
  4. (archaic, figuratively, transitive) To gain possession of (something tangible or intangible) through effort; to acquire, to obtain.
    • [K]ing Edwarde [IV] returned, and wͭ much leſſe nũber thẽ [number then [than]] he had, at Barnet on theſtre daye felde [the Easter Day field], ſlewe the Erle of warwik [Richard Neville, 16th Earl of Warwick] wͭ many other great eſtates of yͤ partie, ⁊ ſo ſtably attained the crowne againe, that he...c. 1513 (date written), Thomas More, “The History of King Richard the Thirde (Vnfinished) […]”, in Wyllyam Rastell [i.e., William Rastell], editor, The Workes of Sir Thomas More Knyght, […], London...
    • [T]hey reported their aduiſe to the kyng exortyng hym to prouyde for his force and ſtrength of men of warre⸝ to atteyne therby the towne of Berwike […]1523 February 7 (Gregorian calendar), Johan Froyssart [i.e., Jean Froissart], “Howe Kyng Edwarde [III] of Ingland Toke the Towne of Berwyke ageynst the Scottis”, in Here Begynneth the First Volum of...
  5. (obsolete, transitive) To reach (someone) after being behind them.
    • The Earle finding the Caſtle freed, and the Enemie retired, purſued vvith all celeritie into Scotland, hoping to haue ouer-taken the Scottiſh King, and to haue giuen him Battaile. But not attaining him in time, ſate dovvne before the Caſtle of Aton […] vvhich in a ſmall time hee tooke.1622, Francis, Lord Verulam, Viscount St. Alban [i.e. Francis Bacon], The Historie of the Raigne of King Henry the Seventh, […], London: […] W[illiam] Stansby for Matthew Lownes, and William Barret...
    Synonyms:
    catch up with, overtake
  6. (figuratively, obsolete, transitive) To find out (information, knowledge, etc.); to ascertain, to get at.
    • [I]t pleaſeth God to diſcouer certayne things to his ſeruantes after this maner at the fyrſte ſpringing vp of the Goſpell: of whiche thyng we may now atteyne manifeſt knowledge by his worde.1574, Augustine Marlorate [i.e., Augustin Marlorat], “[Revelation 1:1]”, in Arthur Golding, transl., A Catholike Exposition vpon the Reuelation of Sainct Iohn. […], London: […] H[enry] Binneman, for...
    • And yet Maſter [William] Camden, ſometimes acknovvledgeth, ſometimes denieth him for an Engliſh Earle. Not that I accuſe him as inconſtant to himſelf, but ſuſpect my ſelf not vvell attaining his meaning therein.1655, Thomas Fuller, “Thomæ Hanson, Amico meo”, in The Church-history of Britain; […], London: […] Iohn Williams […], →OCLC, book III, page 65
  7. (archaic, intransitive) To come to or reach a place by motion or progression; to reach.
    • Then ſayde the children of Joſeph: We ſhal not be able to attayne vnto the mountayne, for there are yron charettes [chariots] amonge all the Cananites, that dwell in the londe of Emek, by whom lyeth Beth Sean and the vyllages therof, and Jeſreal in Emek.1535 October 14 (Gregorian calendar), Myles Coverdale, transl., Biblia: The Byble, […] (Coverdale Bible), [Cologne or Marburg]: [Eucharius Cervicornus and Johannes Soter?], →OCLC, Josua xvij:[16]...
    • And becauſe the hauen was not commodious to winter in, the more part aduiſed to depart thence alſo, if by any meanes they might attaine to Phenice, and there to winter: which is an hauen of Creete, and lieth toward the Southweſt, and Northweſt.1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Acts 27:12, signature [O5], recto, column 1
  8. (figuratively, intransitive) To arrive at a certain condition or state, etc.
    • You may not, perhaps, live to see your trees attain to the dignity of timber—I, nevertheless, approve of your planting, and the disinterested spirit that prompts you to it.1782 November 11 (date written), William Cowper, “To Joseph Hill, Esq.”, in Private Correspondence of William Cowper, Esq. with Several of His Most Intimate Friends. […], volume I, London: […]...
  9. (figuratively, intransitive) To gain possession of something tangible or intangible through effort.
    • Such knowlege is to wonderfull ⁊ excellẽt [excellent] for me, I can not atteyne vnto it.1535 October 14 (Gregorian calendar), Myles Coverdale, transl., Biblia: The Byble, […] (Coverdale Bible), [Cologne or Marburg]: [Eucharius Cervicornus and Johannes Soter?], →OCLC, Psalm cxxxviij:[6]...
    • Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I can not attaine vnto it.1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Psalm 139:6, signature Hhh3, recto, column 1
  10. (intransitive, obsolete) To come to or reach a position without moving from one place to another.
    • Now then, art thou afrayd leaſt God who careth for all things without care, moueth them without touching them, and atteyneth to them without putting himſelf foorth, is not able to wéeld theſe lower things without defyling himſelf by them?1587, Philip of Mornay [i.e., Philippe de Mornay], “That God Gouerneth the World and All Things therein by His Prouidence”, in Philip Sidney, Arthur Golding, transl., A Woorke Concerning the...
    • As for their geſture or poſition, the men lay dovvne [on couches in a triclinium] leaning on their left elbovv, their backe being advanced by ſome pillovv or ſoft ſubſtance; the ſecond lay ſo vvith his backe tovvards the firſt, that his head attained about his boſome, and the reſt in the ſame...1646, Thomas Browne, “Of the Pictures of Easterne Nations, and the Jews at Their Feasts, Especially Our Saviour at the Passover”, in Pseudodoxia Epidemica: […], London: […] T[homas] H[arper] for...
  11. (intransitive, obsolete) To extend or reach from one position to another; to stretch.
    • [S]onne Arthur, you ſhall giue to Perron your wife this night the Charter of her endowrie, wherein is compriſed the land of the Citie of Saintes and of Pois, attaining to the bounds of Gaſgoine.a. 1534 (date written), “How this Ladie Luke of Ostridge Sent for Iehannet, and Caused Her Secretly the First Night to Lie with Arthur, because that Perron was No Maide, to the Intent that Arthur...
  12. (figuratively, intransitive, obsolete) To find out information, knowledge, etc.
    • I ſtudy tyll my braynes ake to ꝑceyue [perceive] this mater but I can nat attayne to it: […]1530 July 28 (Gregorian calendar), Iohan Palsgraue [i.e., John Palsgrave], “The Table of Verbes”, in Lesclarcissement de la langue francoyse⸝ […], [London]: […] [Richard Pynson] fynnysshed by Iohan...
    • He [Thomas de Littleton] compiled this Booke vvhen hee vvas Iudge, after the fourteenth yeare of the raigne of King E[dward] 4. but the certaine time vve cannot yet attaine vnto, but (as vve conceiue) it vvas not long before his death, […]1628, Edw[ard] Coke, “Prœmium”, in The First Part of the Institutes of the Lawes of England. […], London: […] [Adam Islip] for the Societe of Stationers, →OCLC
Show 3 more meaningsShow fewer meanings
  1. (figuratively, intransitive, obsolete) To gain a desired result or other objective through effort.
    • [H]e ſent ſtreyght his letters ⁊ his meſſengers in euery place⸝ where as he thought to recouer⸝ or attaigne to haue any company of men of warre.1523 February 7 (Gregorian calendar), Johan Froyssart [i.e., Jean Froissart], “Howe that Kyng Robert de Breux of Scotland Defyed Kyng Edward [I]”, in Here Begynneth the First Volum of Sir Johan...
    • He [John Gregory] attained to be an exquiſite Linguiſt and general Scholar, his modeſty ſetting the greater luſtre on his learning.a. 1662 (date written), Thomas Fuller, “Buckingham-shire”, in The History of the Worthies of England, London: […] J[ohn] G[rismond,] W[illiam] L[eybourne] and W[illiam] G[odbid], published 1662...
  2. (figuratively, intransitive, obsolete) Of a person: to live to a certain age or time.
    • Heare thou yͭ haſt kepte in the earth ſo lõge [longe], this I ſaye vnto the, before thou begynneſt to appeare nomore: There ſhal none after yͤ atteyne vnto thy tyme.1535 October 14 (Gregorian calendar), Myles Coverdale, transl., Biblia: The Byble, […] (Coverdale Bible), [Cologne or Marburg]: [Eucharius Cervicornus and Johannes Soter?], →OCLC, IV. Essdras [2...
    • The dayes of the yeeres of my pilgrimage are an hundred ⁊ thirtie yeres: few and euill haue the dayes of the yeeres of my life bene, and haue not attained vnto the dayes of the yeeres of the life of my fathers, in the dayes of their pilgrimage.1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Genesis 47:9, signature E3, verso, column 1
  3. (figuratively, intransitive, obsolete) Of a thing: to befall, to happen to someone.
    • As for the ſoule firſt, we ſhall nede no rehearſal of any harme that by this kinde of tribulacion maye attaine thereto: but if that by ſomme inordinate loue and affectiõ [affection] that the ſoule beare to the body, ſhe conſent to ſlide frõ [from] the faith, and thereby do her harme her ſelfe.1534 (date written; published 1553), Thomas More, “A Dyalogue of Comforte agaynste Tribulacyon, […]. Chapter III.”, in Wyllyam Rastell [i.e., William Rastell], editor, The Workes of Sir Thomas More...

Noun

attain (plural attains)

  1. (archaic) An act of arriving at or reaching; an act of obtaining by effort.
    • —A gulf of years then severed the twain; / Till he heard—a painter of high attain— / She was dying on her domain.1925, Thomas Hardy, “The Caricature”, in Human Shows, Far Phantasies, Songs and Trifles, London: Macmillan and Co., […], →OCLC, page 141
  2. (archaic) That which is obtained by effort.
    • Even Crovvns and Diadems, the moſt ſplendid parts of terrene attains; are akin to that, vvhich to day is in the field, and to morrovv is cut dovvn, and vvither'd: […]1661, Joseph Glanvill, “An Apology for Philosophy”, in The Vanity of Dogmatizing: Or Confidence in Opinions. […], London: […] E. C[otes] for Henry Eversden […], →OCLC, pages 237–238

attain meaning in Hindi, Tamil, Urdu and Bengali

attain in Hindi

to attain, to achieve
पा लेना pā lenā, हासिल करना hāsil karnā

attain in Tamil

அடை, நிறைவேற்று

attain in Urdu

حصول کرنا, پہنچنا

attain in Bengali

অর্জন করা, লাভ করা, কোনো লক্ষ্যস্থলে পৌঁছানো
More languagesFewer languages
attain in Malayalam
പൂണുക pūṇuka
attain in Kannada
ಸಾಧಿಸು, ಹೊಂದು, ಗಳಿಸು, ಪಡೆ
attain in Sanskrit
साध्नोति sādhnoti
attain in Arabic
أَصَابَ ʔaṣāba
attain in Persian
نایل شدن nâyel šodan

Examples of attain in a sentence

  • O might VVe thro' Thy Grace attain / The Faith Thou never vvilt reprove, […]1742, John Wesley, Charles Wesley, “Unto the Angel of the Church of the Laodiceans, [Revelation II] ver[se] 14, &c. Part II.”, in Hymns and...
  • While Genius trudges a-foot, and by many a thorny, circuitous route, ascends the hill of fame, thou bowlest along in thy chariot, and attainest the same sunny eminence with scarce an effort.1835, [William Frederick Deacon], “A Second Matrimonial Catastrophe—the Progress of Quackery—a Fit of the Horrors”, in The Exile of Erin...
  • [T]his man is of a character so infamous that he will stick at no falsehood, or hesitate at no crime, to attain his ends.1847 January – 1848 July, William Makepeace Thackeray, “In which We Meet an Old Acquaintance”, in Vanity Fair […], London: Bradbury and...
  • Why, that's the highest rank a citizen can attain!1885, W[illiam] S[chwenck] Gilbert; Arthur Sullivan, composer, […] The Mikado; or, The Town of Titipu, London: Chappel & Co., […], →OCLC...

All 40 example sentences with attain

Synonyms of attain

30 more synonymsFewer synonyms

All synonyms of attain

Forms of attain

Verb
third-person singular presentattains
present participleattaining
past participleattained
pastattained
second-person singular present (archaic)attainest
second-person singular past (archaic)attainedst
third-person singular present (archaic)attaineth
Noun
pluralattains

Past tense of attain: attained

Origin of attain

The verb is derived from Middle English atteinen, atteynen (“to achieve, attain; to be adequate or sufficient; to affect; to come or get to (a place), reach; to corrupt, taint; to overcome, overpower; to overtake; to succeed; to tamper with; (law) to bring to justice, punish”), from ataign-, a stem of Anglo-Norman ataindre, and Old French ataindre, attaindre (“to reach”) (modern French atteindre), from Vulgar Latin *attangere, from Latin attingere, the present active infinitive of attingō (“to come into contact with, touch; to affect; to arrive at, reach; etc.”), from ad- (prefix indicating a nearing or reaching) (appearing as at- due to assimilation with the following t, inducing gemination) + tangō (“to grasp, touch; to arrive at, reach; to attain; etc.”) (ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *teh₂g- (“to grasp; to touch”)). Doublet of attainder and attinge. The noun is derived from the verb.

Words formed from attain

Words that rhyme with attain

48 more rhymesFewer rhymes

Questions about attain

What does attain mean?
Attain means to come to or reach (a place) by motion or progression.
What is attain in Hindi?
Attain in Hindi is पा लेना (pā lenā), हासिल करना (hāsil karnā). See Attain meaning in Hindi.
How do you use attain in a sentence?
O might VVe thro' Thy Grace attain / The Faith Thou never vvilt reprove, […]
What part of speech is attain?
Attain can be a verb or a noun.
How do you pronounce attain?
Attain is pronounced /əˈteɪn/ (UK).
What is the past tense of attain?
The past tense of attain is attained.

Words near attain in the dictionary

  1. attagens
  2. attaghan
  3. attaghans
  4. attagirl
  5. attagirls
  6. attain
  7. attain'd
  8. attainabilities
  9. attainability
  10. attainable
  11. attainable region theory

Source and license

Adapted from Wiktionary: attain (page history and authors); पा लेना (Hindi) (page history and authors); attain (Tamil Wiktionary) (page history and authors); attain (Urdu Wiktionary) (page history and authors); attain (Bengali Wiktionary) (page history and authors); പൂണുക (Malayalam) (page history and authors); attain (Kannada Wiktionary) (page history and authors). Text available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 license. Word.ws reformatted the entry and added links. Wiktionary data of 2026-09-02.

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Cite this entry: “attain.” Word.ws, https://word.ws/attain. Based on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.