Cool MateAccomplishment vs Attainment
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Accomplishment
Top 2,000 (common)C1noun
Attainment
FormalTop 5,000 (fairly common)
Most formal: AttainmentMost common: Accomplishment
| Accomplishment | Attainment | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/əˈkʌmplɪʃmənt/"]/🇺🇸 /["/əˈkɑːmplɪʃmənt/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //əˈteɪnmənt//🇺🇸 //əˈteɪnmənt// |
| Meaning | Something you have achieved or succeeded in doing. | Achieving a goal or something desired. |
| Example | Graduating from university was a significant accomplishment for my family. | The attainment of a college degree opens many career opportunities. |
| Register | Neutral | Formal |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 5,000 (fairly common) |
| CEFR level | C1 | - |
| Part of speech | 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 | academic attainment, social attainment, attainment goals, educational attainment, attainment levels |
| Antonyms | 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'. | Confused with 'achievement' - attainment focuses on the process., Often used incorrectly as a verb - it's a noun., Misused in informal contexts - better for formal discussions. |
| 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. | Commonly used in academic and professional contexts. Not suitable for casual conversation. |
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Frequently asked questions: Accomplishment vs Attainment
What's the difference between Accomplishment and Attainment?
Accomplishment: Something you have achieved or succeeded in doing. Attainment: Achieving a goal or something desired.
Which is more formal: Accomplishment and Attainment?
Attainment is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Accomplishment and Attainment?
Accomplishment is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Accomplishment: Graduating from university was a significant accomplishment for my family. Attainment: The attainment of a college degree opens many career opportunities.
Can I use Accomplishment and Attainment interchangeably?
Not always. Accomplishment and Attainment 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.