Achieve vs. Reach: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
Achieve means to successfully accomplish a goal or task, while reach implies arriving at a destination, point, or level, often after effort.
Key Differences
Achieve and reach are both verbs that denote a sense of completion, but they are used in different contexts. To achieve typically means to successfully accomplish a goal or objective, often after considerable effort or skill. Reach, on the other hand, generally refers to arriving at a destination, point, or level, and is less about the accomplishment of a task and more about the act of getting there.
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Nov 20, 2023
Achievement often implies a notable success or attainment, especially in professional, academic, or personal goals. For instance, achieving a career milestone or academic degree requires a specific set of actions and a high level of commitment. Reaching, in contrast, can be more about the journey or process, such as reaching the top of a mountain or reaching a certain age.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 20, 2023
The word achieve is often associated with a sense of fulfillment and accomplishment, suggesting that a significant effort or challenge has been overcome. Reach, while it can also involve effort, is more about bridging a gap or covering a distance, either physically or metaphorically.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 20, 2023
In terms of usage, achieve is often used in contexts where skill, effort, and persistence are emphasized. Reach is more versatile, used in both physical and metaphorical senses, and can denote a range of actions from stretching out to touch something to attaining a certain level of understanding.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 20, 2023
To summarize, while both words relate to the idea of completion, achieve is more about successfully accomplishing something significant, whereas reach is about arriving or extending to a point, place, or conclusion.
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Nov 20, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Meaning
Successfully accomplish a goal or task.
Arrive at a destination, point, or level.
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Nov 20, 2023
Context of Use
Used in goal attainment, success.
Used in reaching destinations, levels.
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Nov 20, 2023
Associated Feelings
Often associated with fulfillment, accomplishment.
Associated with arrival, extension.
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Nov 20, 2023
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Achieve and Reach Definitions
Achieve
Realize Dreams
She finally achieved her lifelong dream of writing a novel.
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Nov 20, 2023
Achieve
Reach Success
Through hard work, he achieved great success in his field.
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Nov 20, 2023
Reach
Attain a Level or Age
He reached the age of 50 with many accomplishments.
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Nov 20, 2023
Achieve
Complete Objectives
The team achieved its objective ahead of schedule.
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Nov 20, 2023
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Reach
To touch or grasp by stretching out or extending
Can't reach the shelf.
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Oct 19, 2023
Achieve
To gain with effort or despite difficulty; reach
Achieve fame as a singer.
Achieve a record speed.
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Oct 19, 2023
Achieve
To succeed in accomplishing; bring about
Achieve a task.
Achieve an improvement in foreign relations.
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Oct 19, 2023
Reach
To succeed in getting in contact with or communicating with
They reached us by phone. Our newsletter reaches a specialized readership.
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Oct 19, 2023
Achieve
To accomplish something successfully; perform at a standard or above standard level
Skills needed to achieve in school.
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Oct 19, 2023
Reach
To succeed in having an effect on
No one seems able to reach her anymore.
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Oct 19, 2023
Achieve
(intransitive) To succeed in something, now especially in academic performance.
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Oct 19, 2023
Achieve
(transitive) To carry out successfully; to accomplish.
You can achieve anything if you put your mind to it.
Hannah achieved her lifelong dream of winning a medal at the Olympics.
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Oct 19, 2023
Achieve
(transitive) To obtain, or gain (a desired result, objective etc.), as the result of exertion; to succeed in gaining; to win.
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Oct 19, 2023
Achieve
To obtain (a material thing).
Show all the spoils by valiant kings achieved.
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Oct 19, 2023
Reach
To extend or move a hand, arm, or other body part, especially when trying to touch or grasp something
Reached for a book.
Reach into a pocket.
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Oct 19, 2023
Achieve
To carry on to a final close; to bring out into a perfected state; to accomplish; to perform; - as, to achieve a feat, an exploit, an enterprise.
Supposing faculties and powers to be the same, far more may be achieved in any line by the aid of a capital, invigorating motive than without it.
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Oct 19, 2023
Reach
To have extension in space or time
A coat that reaches to the knee.
A career that reached over several decades.
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Oct 19, 2023
Achieve
To obtain, or gain, as the result of exertion; to succeed in gaining; to win.
Some are born great, some achieve greatness.
Thou hast achieved our liberty.
Show all the spoils by valiant kings achieved.
He hath achieved a maidThat paragons description.
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Oct 19, 2023
Reach
To have an influence or effect
A philosophy that reaches into many disciplines.
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Oct 19, 2023
Reach
To make an effort to address the needs of a group or community. Often used with out
A program to reach out to disengaged youth.
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Oct 19, 2023
Reach
The act or an instance of stretching or thrusting out
The frog caught the insect with a sudden reach of its tongue.
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Oct 19, 2023
Reach
An expanse of land or water, such as a stretch of water visible between bends in a river or channel.
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Oct 19, 2023
Reach
A rank or level in a social group or organization
The lower reaches of society.
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Oct 19, 2023
Reach
(intransitive) To extend, stretch, or thrust out (for example a limb or object held in the hand).
He reached for a weapon that was on the table.
He reached for his shoe with his legs.
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Oct 19, 2023
Reach
(transitive) To give to someone by stretching out a limb, especially the hand; to give with the hand; to pass to another person; to hand over.
To reach one a book
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Oct 19, 2023
Reach
(transitive) To attain or obtain by stretching forth the hand; to extend some part of the body, or something held, so as to touch, strike, grasp, etc.
To reach an object with the hand, or with a spear
“I can't quite reach the pepper. Could you pass it to me?”
The gun was stored in a small box on a high closet shelf, but the boy managed to reach it by climbing on other boxes.
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Oct 19, 2023
Reach
To extend an action, effort, or influence to; to penetrate to; to pierce, or cut.
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Oct 19, 2023
Reach
(transitive) To extend to; to stretch out as far as; to touch by virtue of extent.
His hand reaches the river
When the forest reaches the river, you will be able to rest.
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Oct 19, 2023
Reach
(transitive) To arrive at (a place) by effort of any kind.
After three years, he reached the position of manager.
The climbers reached the top of the mountain after a gruelling ten-day hike.
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Oct 19, 2023
Reach
To connect with (someone) on an emotional level, making them receptive of (one); to get through to (someone).
What will it take for me to reach him?
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Oct 19, 2023
Reach
(transitive) To continue living until or up to (a certain age).
You can only access the inheritance money when you reach the age of 25.
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Oct 19, 2023
Reach
To strain after something; to make (sometimes futile or pretentious) efforts.
Reach for your dreams.
Reach for the stars!
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Oct 19, 2023
Reach
(intransitive) To extend in dimension, time etc.; to stretch out continuously (past, beyond, above, from etc. something).
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Oct 19, 2023
Reach
(nautical) To sail on the wind, as from one point of tacking to another, or with the wind nearly abeam.
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Oct 19, 2023
Reach
To arrive at a particular destination, especially to join someone; to meet up.
What time you reaching tomorrow?
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Oct 19, 2023
Reach
The ability to reach or touch with the person, a limb, or something held or thrown.
The fruit is beyond my reach.
To be within reach of cannon shot
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Oct 19, 2023
Reach
The power of stretching out or extending action, influence, or the like; power of attainment or management; extent of force or capacity.
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Oct 19, 2023
Reach
Extent; stretch; expanse; hence, application; influence; result; scope.
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Oct 19, 2023
Reach
(informal) An exaggeration; an extension beyond evidence or normal; a stretch.
To call George eloquent is certainly a reach.
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Oct 19, 2023
Reach
(nautical) Any point of sail in which the wind comes from the side of a vessel, excluding close-hauled.
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Oct 19, 2023
Reach
(nautical) A stretch of a watercourse which can be sailed in one reach (in the previous sense). An extended portion of water; a stretch; a straightish portion of a stream, river, or arm of the sea extending up into the land, as from one turn to another. By extension, the adjacent land.
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Oct 19, 2023
Reach
A level stretch of a watercourse, as between rapids in a river or locks in a canal. (examples?)
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Oct 19, 2023
Reach
The pole or rod connecting the rear axle with the forward bolster of a wagon.
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Oct 19, 2023
Reach
To extend; to stretch; to thrust out; to put forth, as a limb, a member, something held, or the like.
Her tresses yellow, and long straughten,Unto her heeles down they raughten.
Reach hither thy hand and thrust it into my side.
Fruit trees, over woody, reached too farTheir pampered boughs.
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Oct 19, 2023
Reach
Hence, to deliver by stretching out a member, especially the hand; to give with the hand; to pass to another; to hand over; as, to reach one a book.
He reached me a full cup.
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Oct 19, 2023
Reach
To attain or obtain by stretching forth the hand; to extend some part of the body, or something held by one, so as to touch, strike, grasp, or the like; as, to reach an object with the hand, or with a spear.
O patron power, . . . thy present aid afford,Than I may reach the beast.
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Oct 19, 2023
Reach
To strike, hit, or touch with a missile; as, to reach an object with an arrow, a bullet, or a shell.
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Oct 19, 2023
Reach
Hence, to extend an action, effort, or influence to; to penetrate to; to pierce, or cut, as far as.
If these examples of grown men reach not the case of children, let them examine.
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Oct 19, 2023
Reach
To extend to; to stretch out as far as; to touch by virtue of extent; as, his land reaches the river.
Thy desire . . . leads to no excessThat reaches blame.
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Oct 19, 2023
Reach
To arrive at; to come to; to get as far as.
Before this letter reaches your hands.
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Oct 19, 2023
Reach
To arrive at by effort of any kind; to attain to; to gain; to be advanced to.
The best account of the appearances of nature which human penetration can reach, comes short of its reality.
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Oct 19, 2023
Reach
To stretch out the hand.
Goddess humane, reach, then, and freely taste!
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Oct 19, 2023
Reach
To strain after something; to make efforts.
Reaching above our nature does no good.
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Oct 19, 2023
Reach
To extend in dimension, time, amount, action, influence, etc., so as to touch, attain to, or be equal to, something.
And behold, a ladder set upon the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven.
The new world reaches quite across the torrid zone.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Reach
To sail on the wind, as from one point of tacking to another, or with the wind nearly abeam.
He would be in the posture of the mind reaching after a positive idea of infinity.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Reach
The act of stretching or extending; extension; power of reaching or touching with the person, or a limb, or something held or thrown; as, the fruit is beyond my reach; to be within reach of cannon shot.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Reach
The power of stretching out or extending action, influence, or the like; power of attainment or management; extent of force or capacity.
Drawn by others who had deeper reaches than themselves to matters which they least intended.
Be sure yourself and your own reach to know.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Reach
Extent; stretch; expanse; hence, application; influence; result; scope.
And on the left hand, hell,With long reach, interposed.
I am to pray you not to strain my speechTo grosser issues, nor to larger reachThan to suspicion.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Reach
An extended portion of land or water; a stretch; a straight portion of a stream or river, as from one turn to another; a level stretch, as between locks in a canal; an arm of the sea extending up into the land.
The coast . . . is very full of creeks and reaches.
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Oct 19, 2023
Reach
An artifice to obtain an advantage.
The Duke of Parma had particular reaches and ends of his own underhand to cross the design.
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Oct 19, 2023
Reach
The pole or rod which connects the hind axle with the forward bolster of a wagon.
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Oct 19, 2023
Reach
The limits within which something can be effective;
Range of motion
He was beyond the reach of their fire
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Oct 19, 2023
Reach
An area in which something acts or operates or has power or control:
The range of a supersonic jet
The ambit of municipal legislation
Within the compass of this article
Within the scope of an investigation
Outside the reach of the law
In the political orbit of a world power
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Oct 19, 2023
Reach
Reach a destination, either real or abstract;
We hit Detroit by noon
The water reached the doorstep
We barely made it to the finish line
I have to hit the MAC machine before the weekend starts
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Reach
Reach a point in time, or a certain state or level;
The thermometer hit 100 degrees
This car can reach a speed of 140 miles per hour
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Oct 19, 2023
Reach
Move forward or upward in order to touch; also in a metaphorical sense;
Government reaches out to the people
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Oct 19, 2023
Reach
Be in or establish communication with;
Our advertisements reach millions
He never contacted his children after he emigrated to Australia
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Oct 19, 2023
Reach
To extend as far as;
The sunlight reached the wall
Can he reach?
The chair must not touch the wall
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Oct 19, 2023
Reach
Reach a goal, e.g.,
Make the first team
We made it!
She may not make the grade
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Oct 19, 2023
Reach
Place into the hands or custody of;
Hand me the spoon, please
Turn the files over to me, please
He turned over the prisoner to his lawyers
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Oct 19, 2023
Reach
Arrive at a Destination
He finally reached his destination after a long journey.
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Nov 20, 2023
Reach
Come to a Point
The discussion reached a conclusion after intense debate.
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Nov 20, 2023
Repeatedly Asked Queries
Can achieve be applied to personal goals?
Yes, personal achievements are common uses of the word.
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Nov 20, 2023
What does achieve mean?
Achieve means to successfully accomplish or attain a goal, task, or objective.
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Nov 20, 2023
Does achieve imply effort?
Generally, it implies considerable effort and skill.
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Nov 20, 2023
Can achieve be used in a professional context?
Yes, it's often used to denote professional accomplishments.
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Nov 20, 2023
Is achieving always a positive outcome?
Typically, yes, as it implies successful completion.
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Nov 20, 2023
What does reach mean?
Reach means to arrive at a destination or extend to a point.
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Nov 20, 2023
Does reach imply a journey?
Often, it implies a process or journey to get somewhere.
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Nov 20, 2023
Can achieve be used in an academic context?
Yes, such as achieving a degree or academic award.
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Nov 20, 2023
Can reach be used in a physical sense?
Yes, like reaching a place or extending a hand.
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Nov 20, 2023
Is reaching always a literal action?
No, it can also be metaphorical, like reaching an agreement.
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Nov 20, 2023
Is achieving a lengthy process?
It can be, especially for significant goals or tasks.
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Nov 20, 2023
What kind of goals can one achieve?
Goals can range from personal to professional, large or small.
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Nov 20, 2023
Can reach be used in an emotional context?
Yes, like reaching an understanding or a state of mind.
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Nov 20, 2023
What does it mean to reach a consensus?
It means to arrive at a mutual agreement or understanding.
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Nov 20, 2023
What does it mean to reach a milestone?
It means to arrive at an important point in a process or life.
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Nov 20, 2023
Can organizations achieve goals?
Yes, organizations often set and achieve collective goals.
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Nov 20, 2023
Can reach imply a form of communication?
Yes, like reaching out to someone for contact or information.
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Nov 20, 2023
Can reach be used in a business context?
Yes, like reaching a target market or sales goal.
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Nov 20, 2023
What is necessary to achieve a goal?
Typically, planning, effort, and persistence are necessary.
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Nov 20, 2023
Is reach associated with physical flexibility?
In some contexts, like reaching for an object, it is.
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Nov 20, 2023
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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