Cool MateAccomplishment vs Achievement
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Accomplishment
Achievement
| Accomplishment | Achievement | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/əˈkʌmplɪʃmənt/"]/🇺🇸 /["/əˈkɑːmplɪʃmənt/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/əˈtʃiːvmənt/"]/🇺🇸 /["/əˈtʃiːvmənt/"]/ |
| Meaning | Something you have achieved or succeeded in doing. | Something you have done successfully. |
| Example | Graduating from university was a significant accomplishment for my family. | Winning the championship was a great achievement for the team. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | C1 | B1 |
| Part of speech | noun | noun |
| Collocations | amazing, big, considerable, celebrate, recognize, of…accomplishment, accomplishment in, a feeling of accomplishment, a sense of accomplishment, quite an accomplishment, amazing, big, considerable, celebrate, recognize, of…accomplishment, accomplishment in, a feeling of accomplishment, a sense of accomplishment, quite an accomplishment | amazing, considerable, extraordinary, be, constitute, represent, achievement in, quite an achievement, high, individual, personal, level, standard, measure, gap, award, test, a feeling of achievement, a sense of achievement, a lack of achievement |
| Antonyms | failure, defeat, setback | failure, defeat, setback |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'achievement'; some learners think they mean the same., Using it in a plural form ('accomplishments') without a context that needs it., Mispronouncing it as 'accomplish-ment', instead of 'accom-plish-ment'. | Confusing 'achievement' with 'accomplishment' when used in similar contexts., Using 'achievements' incorrectly as a verb instead of a noun., Not distinguishing between short-term and long-term achievements. |
| Usage notes | This word is often used in formal contexts, such as resumes or discussions about personal goals. It is less common in casual conversations with friends. | Use 'achievement' in both formal and informal settings. It's suitable for discussions about school, career, or personal goals, but may not fit casual conversations about everyday events. |
Frequently asked questions: Accomplishment vs Achievement
What's the difference between Accomplishment and Achievement?
Accomplishment: Something you have achieved or succeeded in doing. Achievement: Something you have done successfully.
Which is more advanced: Accomplishment and Achievement?
Accomplishment is the highest level, at C1, on the CEFR scale.
Are Accomplishment and Achievement the same CEFR level?
Accomplishment: C1, Achievement: B1 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Accomplishment and Achievement?
Accomplishment: noun, Achievement: noun.
Can you show an example of each?
Accomplishment: Graduating from university was a significant accomplishment for my family. Achievement: Winning the championship was a great achievement for the team.
Can I use Accomplishment and Achievement interchangeably?
Not always. Accomplishment and Achievement are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.