# achieve

> English word · Verb · IPA /əˈt͡ʃiːv/ · frequency rank #2,607

## Definitions
1. To succeed in something, now especially in academic performance.
2. To carry out successfully; to accomplish.
3. To conclude, finish, especially successfully.
4. To obtain, or gain (a desired result, objective etc.), as the result of exertion; to succeed in gaining; to win.
5. To conclude, to turn out.
6. To obtain (a material thing).

## 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.

## Easily confused with
- **active** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/achieve-vs-active)
- **archive** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/achieve-vs-archive)
- **achieved** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/achieve-vs-achieved)
- **achieves** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/achieve-vs-achieves)

## Common misspellings (9)
`acchieve`, `acheive`, `achhieve`, `achieev`, `achievve`, `achivee`, `aciheve`, `ahcieve`, `cahieve`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/achieve