accomplish

[uh-kom-plish]

verb (used with object)

1. to bring to its goal or conclusion; carry out; perform; finish.

   to accomplish one's mission.

   Synonyms: effect, execute, fulfill, complete

2. to complete (a distance or period of time).

   to have accomplished the age of 70;

   We accomplished the journey in little more than an hour.

3. Archaic.,  to provide polish to; perfect.

accomplish

/ əˈkɒmplɪʃ, əˈkʌm- /

verb

1. to manage to do; achieve

2. to conclude successfully; complete

Other Word Forms

• accomplishable adjective
• accomplisher noun
• preaccomplish verb (used with object)
• unaccomplishable adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of accomplish¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Middle French accompliss-, stem of acomplir, equivalent to a- ac- + complir, ultimately from Latin complēre “to fill”; complete, -ish ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of accomplish¹

C14: from Old French acomplir to complete, ultimately from Latin complēre to fill up. See _complete

Synonym Study

See do ¹.

Example Sentences

"That's why is essential for these children to go to school, get an education and accomplish their goals."

From BBC

“The way it appears they were attempting to accomplish this was to deploy the ‘If you can’t beat them join them’ strategy.

From Los Angeles Times

“We have a lot to accomplish and we’re moving fast,” Ellison said.

From Los Angeles Times

What do you want to accomplish next with your music?

From Los Angeles Times

There’s already talk of an extension to November or December, mainly because there are only 14 legislative days to get anything accomplished.

From Salon

Related Words

• achieve 
• attain 
• bring about 
• carry out 
• conclude 
• do 
• finish 
• manage 
• perform 
• produce 
• pull off 
• reach 
• realize 
• score 
• take care of 
• win 

When To Use

What does accomplish mean?

Accomplish means to carry out or finish an action—to complete what you set out to do. To accomplish a goal is to complete it.Accomplish is often (though not always) used in the context of completing a set goal—one that is planned or desired before it is accomplished. Accomplish is generally used in a positive way in the context of completing beneficial goals (though a person can accomplish bad things—many supervillains hope to accomplish a global takeover).The completion of a goal or anything accomplished can be called an accomplishment, which means about the same thing as achievement.Someone who has accomplished many impressive things in life or in their career can be described with the adjective accomplished. It’s especially used to indicate that a person is very experienced, skilled, and perhaps awarded in their field, as in an accomplished singer.Much less commonly, accomplish can mean to reach a destination or certain age, as in I never thought I would accomplish the age of 100.Example: I’m hoping to accomplish everything on my to-do list today.