achiev|able /ətʃiː vəb ə l/ ADJ If you say that something you are trying to do is achievable , you mean that it is possible for you to succeed in doing it. □ A 50% market share is achievable. □ It is often a good idea to start with smaller, easily achievable goals.
achieve ◆◆◇ /ətʃiː v/ (achieves , achieving , achieved ) VERB If you achieve a particular aim or effect, you succeed in doing it or causing it to happen, usually after a lot of effort. □ [V n] There are many who will work hard to achieve these goals. □ [V n] We have achieved what we set out to do. COLLOCATIONS achieve VERB
achieve + noun : goal, objective, result, success; feat, grade, growth; fame, status
noun + achieve : pupil, student; company
achieve + adverb : consistently, easily
achieve|ment ◆◇◇ /ətʃiː vmənt/ (achievements )
1 N‑COUNT An achievement is something which someone has succeeded in doing, especially after a lot of effort. □ Reaching this agreement so quickly was a great achievement.
2 N‑UNCOUNT Achievement is the process of achieving something. □ [+ of ] Only the achievement of these goals will bring lasting peace. COLLOCATIONS achievement NOUN 1
noun + achievement : career, lifetime; landmark
adjective + achievement : major, notable, outstanding, remarkable; academic, educational, sporting; crowning, personal, proud
verb + achievement : celebrate, honour; acknowledge, recognize SYNONYMS achievement NOUN 1
accomplishment: By any standards, the accomplishments of the past year are extraordinary.
feat: A racing car is an extraordinary feat of engineering.
coup: The sale is a big coup for the auction house.
achiev|er /ətʃiː və r / (achievers ) N‑COUNT A high achiever is someone who is successful in their studies or their work, usually as a result of their efforts. A low achiever is someone who achieves less than those around them. □ High achievers will receive cash bonuses.
Achilles heel /ək I liːz hiː l/ N‑SING [usu poss N ] Someone's Achilles heel is the weakest point in their character or nature, where it is easiest for other people to attack or criticize them. □ Horton's Achilles heel was that he could not delegate.
Achilles ten|don /ək I liːz te ndən/ (Achilles tendons ) N‑COUNT Your Achilles tendon or your Achilles is the tendon inside the back of your leg just above your heel.
ach|ing|ly /e I k I ŋli/ ADV [ADV adj/adv] You can use achingly for emphasis when you are referring to things that create feelings of wanting something very much, but of not being able to have it. [WRITTEN , EMPHASIS ] □ …three achingly beautiful ballads.
achy /e I ki/ ADJ [usu v-link ADJ ] If you feel achy , your body hurts. [INFORMAL , SPOKEN ] □ I feel achy all over.
acid ◆◇◇ /æ s I d/ (acids )
1 N‑VAR An acid is a chemical substance, usually a liquid, which contains hydrogen and can react with other substances to form salts. Some acids burn or dissolve other substances that they come into contact with. □ …citric acid.
2 ADJ An acid substance contains acid. □ These shrubs must have an acid, lime-free soil. ● acid|ity /æs I d I ti/ N‑UNCOUNT □ [+ of ] …the acidity of rainwater.
3 N‑UNCOUNT The drug LSD is sometimes referred to as acid . [INFORMAL ]
4 → see also amino acid , hydrochloric acid , nitric acid , nucleic acid , sulphuric acid
a cid hou se N‑UNCOUNT Acid house is a type of electronic dance music with a strong, repeated rhythm.
acid|ic /əs I d I k/ ADJ Acidic substances contain acid. □ Dissolved carbon dioxide makes the water more acidic.
a cid rai n N‑UNCOUNT Acid rain is rain polluted by acid that has been released into the atmosphere from factories and other industrial processes. Acid rain is harmful to the environment.
a cid te st N‑SING The acid test of something is an important aspect or result that it might have, which allows you to decide whether it is true or successful. □ [+ of ] The acid test of a school is 'would you send your own children there?'
ac|knowl|edge ◆◇◇ /æknɒ l I dʒ/ (acknowledges , acknowledging , acknowledged )
1 VERB If you acknowledge a fact or a situation, you accept or admit that it is true or that it exists. [FORMAL ] □ [V that] We have to acknowledge that something is wrong with the system. □ [V n] Belatedly, the government has acknowledged the problem. □ [V -ed] There is an acknowledged risk of lung cancer from radon. [Also V n to-inf, V n as n/adj]
2 VERB If someone's achievements, status, or qualities are acknowledged , they are known about and recognized by a lot of people, or by a particular group of people. □ [be V -ed + as ] He is also acknowledged as an excellent goal-keeper. □ [V n] Some of the clergy refused to acknowledge the new king's legitimacy. [Also V n to-inf]
3 VERB If you acknowledge a message or letter, you write to the person who sent it in order to say that you have received it. □ [V n] The army sent me a postcard acknowledging my request.
4 VERB If you acknowledge someone, for example by moving your head or smiling, you show that you have seen and recognized them. □ [V n] He saw her but refused to even acknowledge her.
ac|knowl|edge|ment /æknɒ l I dʒmənt/ (acknowledgements ) also acknowledgment