Cool MateAchievement vs Success vs Triumph vs Victory
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Achievement
Success
Triumph
Victory
| Achievement | Success | Triumph | Victory | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/əˈtʃiːvmənt/"]/🇺🇸 /["/əˈtʃiːvmənt/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/səkˈses/"]/🇺🇸 /["/səkˈses/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈtraɪʌmf/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈtraɪʌmf/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈvɪktəri/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈvɪktəri/"]/ |
| Meaning | Something you have done successfully. | When you achieve something you wanted to do. | A great victory or success. | Winning a game or competition. |
| Example | Winning the championship was a great achievement for the team. | His success in the competition made him very proud. | Winning the championship was a great triumph for the underdog team. | The team celebrated their hard-earned victory at the championship finals. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | B1 | A1 | C1 | B2 |
| Part of speech | noun | noun | noun | noun |
| Collocations | 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 | enormous, great, immense, amount, degree, level, achieve, attain, enjoy, come, lie (in something), depend on something, rate, story, factor, with success, without success, success in, a chance of success, a hope of success, confident of success, resounding, roaring, rousing, be, prove, have, wish somebody (every) success | great, major, real, score, hail something as, see something as, in triumph, triumph against, triumph for, a/somebody’s moment of triumph, a sense of triumph, a/somebody’s triumph over adversity, great, major, real, score, hail something as, see something as, in triumph, triumph against, triumph for, a/somebody’s moment of triumph, a sense of triumph, a/somebody’s triumph over adversity | big, famous, glorious, achieve, capture, clinch, celebration, parade, party, victory against, victory for, victory over, snatch victory from the jaws of defeat |
| Antonyms | failure, defeat, setback | failure, defeat, setback | defeat, failure, loss | defeat, loss |
| Common mistakes | 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. | Confused with 'successfully', which is an adverb., Used incorrectly as a verb instead of the noun form., Misplaced in sentences, such as 'We have success' instead of 'We are successful'. | Confusing with 'triumphant', which describes the feeling after a victory., Using it as a verb incorrectly, instead of the adjective form., Overusing it in minor achievements instead of reserving it for significant victories. | 'Victory' is often confused with 'defeat' as antonyms., Some learners use 'victory' as a verb, which it is not., Mixing up 'victory' with similar-sounding words such as 'victorious'. |
| Usage notes | 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. | Use 'success' when talking about achieving goals or winning in a friendly context. Avoid using it in negative situations or as a mockery. | Used to describe a significant win or achievement, often in contexts like sports, competitions, or personal accomplishments. Less appropriate for casual, everyday situations. | Use 'victory' in contexts related to competitions, sports, battles, or achievements. It’s generally neutral but can feel more formal in written contexts. Avoid in casual conversations where simpler terms like 'win' may suffice. |
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Frequently asked questions: Achievement vs Success vs Triumph vs Victory
What's the difference between Achievement, Success, Triumph, and Victory?
Achievement: Something you have done successfully. Success: When you achieve something you wanted to do. Triumph: A great victory or success. Victory: Winning a game or competition.
Which is more common: Achievement, Success, Triumph, and Victory?
Success is the most common in everyday English.
Which is more advanced: Achievement, Success, Triumph, and Victory?
Triumph is the highest level, at C1, on the CEFR scale.
Are Achievement, Success, Triumph, and Victory the same CEFR level?
Achievement: B1, Success: A1, Triumph: C1, Victory: B2 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Achievement, Success, Triumph, and Victory?
Achievement: noun, Success: noun, Triumph: noun, Victory: noun.
Can you show an example of each?
Achievement: Winning the championship was a great achievement for the team. Success: His success in the competition made him very proud. Triumph: Winning the championship was a great triumph for the underdog team. Victory: The team celebrated their hard-earned victory at the championship finals.
Can I use Achievement, Success, Triumph, and Victory interchangeably?
Not always. Achievement, Success, Triumph, and Victory 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.