# attain

> English word · Verb · IPA /əˈteɪn/ · frequency rank #12,908

## Definitions
1. To gain (an object or desired result).
2. To reach or come to, by progression or motion; to arrive at (a place, time, state, etc.).
3. To come or arrive, by motion, growth, bodily exertion, or efforts toward a place, object, state, etc.
4. To get at the knowledge of.
5. To reach in excellence or degree.
6. To reach a person after being behind them.

## Etymology
From Middle English atteynen, from Anglo-Norman ataindre, from Old French, from Latin attingō. Doublet of attainder and attinge.

## Easily confused with
- **attic** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/attain-vs-attic)
- **attains** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/attain-vs-attains)
- **attained** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/attain-vs-attained)
- **atta** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/atta-vs-attain)
- **again** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/again-vs-attain)
- **Alain** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/alain-vs-attain)
- **actin** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/actin-vs-attain)
- **attack** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/attack-vs-attain)
- **attach** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/attach-vs-attain)
- **abstain** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/abstain-vs-attain)

## Common misspellings (6)
`atain`, `atatin`, `attainn`, `attani`, `attian`, `tatain`

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