Cool MateAchieve vs Fulfill
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Achieve
Top 1,000 (very common)A2verb
Fulfill
Top 2,000 (common)B1
Most common: Achieve
| Achieve | Fulfill | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/əˈtʃiːv/","/əˈtʃiːvz/","/əˈtʃiːvd/","/əˈtʃiːvɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/əˈtʃiːv/","/əˈtʃiːvz/","/əˈtʃiːvd/","/əˈtʃiːvɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //fʊlˈfɪl//🇺🇸 //fʊlˈfɪl// |
| Meaning | To successfully reach a goal or complete something. | To do what is required or promised. |
| Example | She worked hard to achieve her goals. | She worked hard to fulfill her dreams. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | A2 | B1 |
| Part of speech | verb | |
| Collocations | fail to, be able to, try to, fail to, be able to, try to | fulfill a dream, fulfill a promise, fulfill a requirement, fulfill one's duties |
| Antonyms | fail, miss, lose | neglect, disappoint, fail |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'complete' or 'accomplish', Using 'achieve' with non-count nouns incorrectly, Mistakenly using 'achieve' in informal settings | Confused with 'fill' — remember they mean different things., Using it without an object is incorrect; you always need to say what you fulfill., Often misspelled as 'fulfil' without the second 'l' in American English. |
| Usage notes | Use 'achieve' when talking about completing a goal or success in a task. It's appropriate in both personal and professional contexts, but avoid it in very casual conversations. | Used in formal and everyday contexts. It's appropriate when discussing commitments, expectations, or requirements. |
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Frequently asked questions: Achieve vs Fulfill
What's the difference between Achieve and Fulfill?
Achieve: To successfully reach a goal or complete something. Fulfill: To do what is required or promised.
Which is more common: Achieve and Fulfill?
Achieve is the most common in everyday English.
Which is more advanced: Achieve and Fulfill?
Fulfill is the highest level, at B1, on the CEFR scale.
Are Achieve and Fulfill the same CEFR level?
Achieve: A2, Fulfill: B1 on the CEFR scale.
Can you show an example of each?
Achieve: She worked hard to achieve her goals. Fulfill: She worked hard to fulfill her dreams.
Can I use Achieve and Fulfill interchangeably?
Not always. Achieve and Fulfill 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.