Attain vs Obtain | Definition & Examples
Attain and obtain are verbs that relate to getting something. However, “attain” is more similar to “achieve” and typically refers to intangible things (e.g., “attained her goal”), whereas “obtain” also requires effort but usually pertains to tangible objects (e.g., “obtained a report”).
| Examples: Attain in a sentence | Examples: Obtain in a sentence |
|---|---|
| I will attain as many positive reviews as I can. | I always obtain all the tools and materials we need in a timely manner. |
| Soon, Naz will attain her life-long goal of climbing Mt. Everest. | Luisa will obtain the keys needed to enter the building. |
| The business attained an immaculate reputation because of their superb customer service. | After several calls, we obtained all the documents we needed to finalize the sale of the house. |
In some contexts, either word can be used, particularly when what is being acquired necessitates effort and can be perceived as either tangible or intangible. For example, in the sentence “Lucian attained/obtained the first place trophy,” both words are appropriate and depend on whether the focus of the sentence is the (intangible) goal of winning first place or the (tangible) first-place trophy.
Attain definition
“Attain” is a verb that has a few different definitions and uses but is most often used to mean “achieve, gain, or accomplish something.” Something that is attained is typically abstract or intangible (e.g., “attain an education”).
After years of rigorous studying, I finally attained a PhD in psychology.
We aim to attain a 20% increase in global revenue.
Melissa worked incredibly hard to attain her dream job as CEO of her own company.
Although not as common, “attain” can also mean “to arrive at” (e.g., “attain the mountain’s summit”) or “to reach a stage in development or growth.” When used in the latter sense, “attain” is followed by the preposition “to” (e.g., “attain to 18 feet of height”).
Attained
“Attained” is the past tense and past participle of “attain.” It is used when referring to achieving, reaching, or accomplishing something in the past (e.g., “attained an education”).
After years of immersing himself in the culture, he attained a high level of fluency in the language.
The team had attained their ambitious sales target due to their perseverance.
Obtain definition
“Obtain” is a verb and a more formal way of saying “get,” but an important distinction is that “obtain” implies a degree of effort. For instance, the sentence “Lola obtained approval” could be interpreted as Lola exerting effort to receive approval. However, “Lola got an approval” could be interpreted as someone effortlessly giving Lola an approval without much effort on her part.
Additionally, something that is obtained is typically a tangible object (e.g., “obtained a book”). However, intangible things can also be “obtained.” For example, someone can “obtain information.” The reason you would use “obtain” instead of “attain” in that example is because “getting information” is not typically a goal someone strives for.
She tried to obtain more information about her surprise party.
My dad went out of his way to obtain a rare, limited-edition version of my favorite movie.
We worked tirelessly to obtain the permit required to finish the project.
Obtained
“Obtained” is the past tense and past participle of “obtain.” It is used when referring to getting or acquiring something in the past through effort (e.g., “obtained a check”).
Gloria attributed her success to all the skills she obtained during her training.
We had to interview countless people to obtain accurate results.
Frequently asked questions about attain vs obtain
- What does obtaining mean?
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“Obtaining” is the present participle of the verb “obtain,” which means “to get something through effort” (e.g., “I am obtaining the necessary permits”).
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- What’s another word for obtain?
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Other words for obtain include:
- Acquire
- Gain
- Procure
- Secure
QuillBot’s paragraph rewriter can help you find synonyms for words like “obtain.”
