IPA: /əˈteɪn/
KK: /əˈteɪn/
To succeed in achieving something after a lot of effort or time.
She worked hard to attain her goals in life.
Past: attained
Past Participle: attained
To achieve or reach something after a lot of effort or time.
She worked hard to attain her goals.
Past: attained
Past Participle: attained
Attain is formed from "ad-" (meaning to) and "tenere" (meaning to hold). The word describes the act of holding or reaching something that one aims for.
Think of 'to' ('ad-') and 'hold' ('tenere') — this helps you remember that to attain means to reach or hold something you desire.