Attain

Pronunciation

• Rhymes: -eɪn

Origin

From Anglo-Norman ataindre, from Old French, from Latin ''attingō.

Full definition of attain

Verb

1. (transitive) To accomplish; to achieve.To attain such a high level of proficiency requires hours of practice each day.
2. To get at the knowledge of; to ascertain.
• Fullernot well attaining his meaning
3. (transitive) To reach or come to, by progression or motion; to arrive at.
• MiltonCanaan he now attains.
• Bible, Psalms cxxxix. 6Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I can not attain unto it.
4. (intransitive) To come or arrive, by motion, growth, bodily exertion, or efforts toward a place, object, state, etc.; to reach.
• Bible, Acts xxvii. 12if by any means they might attain to Phenice
• Sir Walter ScottNor nearer might the dogs attain.
• Cowperto see your trees attain to the dignity of timber
• J. R. GreenFew boroughs had as yet attained to power such as this.
5. To reach in excellence or degree; to equal.
6. (obsolete) To overtake.