Pronunciation
BrE /əˈkʌmplɪʃmənt/
AmE /əˈkɑːmplɪʃmənt/
Part of Speech
Noun (countable; uncountable)
Frequency Level
B2
Register
Neutral–formal
Definition
Something successfully achieved or completed through effort, skill, or determination.
Extended Meaning
Accomplishment refers to the successful result of a task, goal, or project. It expresses completion with a sense of satisfaction, value, or importance. This achievement may be personal, professional, academic, or artistic. The word also refers to refined skills or abilities that demonstrate competence, such as accomplishments in music, language, or sports. In broader contexts, it represents progress, mastery, or notable contributions.
Detailed Explanation
In everyday and professional contexts, accomplishment refers to a completed task or achievement that required planning, effort, or dedication. Examples include finishing a project, completing a course, reaching a target, or solving a problem. These accomplishments serve as measurable indicators of progress.
In personal development, the noun emphasizes satisfaction and growth. People often list their accomplishments when reflecting on their achievements, preparing résumés, or setting new goals. These accomplishments can be big or small, ranging from learning a new skill to overcoming a challenge.
In artistic or cultural contexts, accomplishment may refer to cultivated talents such as painting, writing, playing an instrument, or speaking a foreign language. Historically, the term described refined abilities that were signs of education or social polish.
Overall, the word expresses success, mastery, and meaningful completion.
Word Family
accomplish (verb) — to complete or achieve successfully.
accomplishment (noun) — something achieved; a skill or success.
accomplished (adjective) — highly skilled or successful.
accomplishing (noun/participle) — the act of completing or achieving something.
Semantic Field
accomplishment vs. achievement — achievement is broader; accomplishment emphasizes completion.
accomplishment vs. success — success is outcome; accomplishment is completed result.
accomplishment vs. skill — skill is ability; accomplishment may be a developed talent.
accomplishment vs. milestone — milestone is a stage; accomplishment is a finished result.
accomplishment vs. progress — progress is movement; accomplishment is arrival.
Example Sentences
Finishing the project was a major accomplishment for the team.
Learning a new language is an impressive accomplishment.
She felt a strong sense of accomplishment after passing the exam.
The award recognized his accomplishments in science.
Publishing her first book was a lifelong accomplishment.
They celebrated the accomplishment together.
He listed his accomplishments on his résumé.
The mission’s accomplishment amazed everyone.
Mastering the piano was one of her childhood accomplishments.
The accomplishment required dedication and patience.
Dialogues
“Did you complete the task?”
“Yes, it was a big accomplishment.”
“What are you proud of this year?”
“My biggest accomplishment was finishing my thesis.”
“Is he talented?”
“Yes, he has many accomplishments.”
“Did the team reach their goals?”
“Yes, their accomplishments were impressive.”
“How do you feel after the exam?”
“A real sense of accomplishment.”
“Why did she win the award?”
“For her accomplishments in research.”
“Did they succeed?”
“Yes, the accomplishment was significant.”
“What did you write on your CV?”
“I listed my main accomplishments.”
“Was it difficult?”
“Yes, but the accomplishment was worth it.”
“Are you happy with the results?”
“Yes, it’s a meaningful accomplishment.”
Stories
- Emma finally finished her online course. She had struggled at first but kept practicing every day. Completing it felt like a real accomplishment. She shared the news with her family. They were proud of her dedication.
- Mark trained for months to improve his health. When he completed his first 10K run, he considered it a huge accomplishment. His hard work paid off. The success motivated him to set new goals. He felt energized and confident.
- The students worked together on a science project. When they presented it, the teacher praised their accomplishment. They smiled proudly. Cooperation had helped them succeed. The accomplishment strengthened their teamwork.
- Sarah learned to bake her first cake without help. It turned out better than she expected. The small accomplishment made her excited to try more recipes. Her confidence in the kitchen grew. She enjoyed sharing it with her family.
- The team renovated an old community room. After days of effort, the transformation was complete. The accomplishment brought everyone closer. The space looked bright and welcoming. Residents appreciated their work.
Common Collocations
major accomplishment — a significant achievement.
Example: Finishing medical school was a major accomplishment.*
personal accomplishment — something achieved individually.
Example: Running a marathon was a personal accomplishment.*
sense of accomplishment — feeling of satisfaction.
Example: He felt a sense of accomplishment.*
academic accomplishment — school or university achievement.
Example: Her academic accomplishments are outstanding.*
cultural accomplishment — skill in art, music, or language.
Example: Playing violin was one of her cultural accomplishments.*
professional accomplishment — work-related achievement.
Example: The award recognized his professional accomplishments.*
impressive accomplishment — notable success.
Example: Completing the project was an impressive accomplishment.*
lifelong accomplishment — achievement tied to a long-term goal.
Example: Publishing the book was a lifelong accomplishment.*
collective accomplishment — group success.
Example: The victory was a collective accomplishment.*
record accomplishment — achievement setting a new record.
Example: The swimmer set a record accomplishment.*
Syntactic Patterns
accomplishment of + noun — the accomplishment of goals.
sense of accomplishment — She felt a sense of accomplishment.
list accomplishments — He listed his accomplishments.
recognize accomplishments — The award recognized her accomplishments.
show accomplishments — His accomplishments show dedication.
achieve an accomplishment — The team achieved a major accomplishment.
be considered an accomplishment — Finishing early was considered an accomplishment.
Colligation
Often used with verbs of recognition: celebrate, recognize, honor.
Common with adjectives expressing praise: major, significant, remarkable.
Appears in CVs, professional profiles, and academic writing.
Used with abstract nouns: goals, tasks, achievements.
Paired with emotional expressions: feel proud, sense of accomplishment.
Usage Notes
Accomplishment is more formal than success or achievement, making it suitable for academic, professional, and high-level personal contexts. It should not be used for trivial or routine actions like eating breakfast or cleaning a room. Instead, it refers to tasks or achievements that required real effort, skill, or consistency.
Cultural and Historical Notes
Historically, accomplishment referred not only to achievements but also to cultivated skills such as music, drawing, or foreign languages—especially in upper-class education. Over time, its meaning broadened to include measurable achievements, milestones, and completed goals. Today, it is widely used in personal development, professional evaluations, psychology, and motivational communication.
Idioms and Fixed Expressions
sense of accomplishment — feeling of satisfaction after achievement.
mission accomplished — the task has been completed.
a great accomplishment — a notable success.
accomplishment in itself — valuable or impressive on its own.
look back at your accomplishments — reflect on achievements.
Pronunciation Notes
Stress falls on the second syllable: ə-KOM-plish-mənt.
Keep the final “-ment” light and unstressed.
Avoid saying “ac-com-PLISH-ment”—stress should not fall on the third syllable.
Maintain the /plɪʃ/ sound clearly.
Do not confuse pronunciation with accomplish.
Typical Errors
Incorrect: He did many accomplishment. → Correct: He had many accomplishments.
Incorrect: It was a big accomplish. → Correct: It was a big accomplishment.
Incorrect: She feel accomplishment after work. → Correct: She feels a sense of accomplishment.
Incorrect: They achieved an accomplish. → Correct: They achieved an accomplishment.
Incorrect: His accomplishments is impressive. → Correct: His accomplishments are impressive.
Learner’s Checklist
Use plural accomplishments for a list of achievements.
Pair it with meaningful tasks or goals.
Use it in résumés, formal writing, and self-development contexts.
Remember the collocation sense of accomplishment.
Combine it with adjectives like major or significant.
Morphological Notes
From Old French acomplir (“to fulfill, complete”), later forming accomplishment.
The suffix “-ment” creates a noun of result or state.
Modern English retains the meaning of successful completion.
Mini Test
Fill in: She felt a strong ___ of accomplishment.
True/False: “Accomplishment” can refer to a developed skill.
Correct the error: This was an important accomplish for him.
Choose: The team celebrated their (accomplishment / accomplish).
Fill in: His accomplishments were recognized ___ the award.
Advanced Test
Rewrite using accomplishment:
“Finishing the book was a big achievement for her.”
Choose the clearer sentence:
“He did something.” / “He achieved an important accomplishment.”
Explain the difference:
accomplishment vs. achievement.
Create a sentence using sense of accomplishment.
Correct and improve:
Her accomplishments is very impressive.
Usage Scenarios
Professional Achievement and Career Development
Use accomplishment to describe successful work results, completed targets, and career milestones.
Presenting measurable accomplishments on a résumé helps employers understand your real impact.
Academic and Research Contexts
Use it when discussing completed projects, passed exams, academic honors, or research contributions.
Publishing a peer-reviewed article is considered a major academic accomplishment.
Personal Growth and Self-Improvement
Use the word to highlight meaningful progress such as learning skills, improving health, or achieving long-term goals.
Finishing a 30-day study challenge can be a motivating personal accomplishment.
Creative, Artistic, or Skill-Based Success
Use it for achievements in art, music, writing, sports, or other cultivated abilities.
Mastering a complex piano piece is an accomplishment that reflects discipline and practice.
Teamwork and Collective Results
Use it to describe successes achieved through collaboration, cooperation, and shared effort.
The successful launch of the product was a collective accomplishment that strengthened the team’s confidence.
Conclusion
The noun accomplishment helps you describe meaningful achievements that required effort, skill, and determination. It captures the satisfaction of completing something important—whether a personal goal, a professional milestone, or a creative project. Because it highlights successful outcomes, the word is widely used in education, business, self-improvement, and performance evaluation.
For learners, accomplishment expands your ability to talk about progress and success with precision. It allows you to describe what you have achieved, reflect on growth, and communicate your strengths clearly. Whether listing accomplishments on a résumé or discussing personal goals, the word gives structure and confidence to your expression.
To use it effectively, choose strong collocations—major accomplishment, sense of accomplishment, professional accomplishments—and reserve it for achievements that genuinely required work. The more accurately you use accomplishment, the more clearly you can communicate the progress, mastery, and meaningful results that define your journey.