Ask Difference

Attain vs. Obtain — What's the Difference?

Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on October 27, 2023
Attain refers to achieving or reaching a goal or level, while Obtain means to acquire or secure something, usually a tangible item.
Attain vs. Obtain — What's the Difference?

Difference Between Attain and Obtain

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Key Differences

Attain typically emphasizes the journey or effort taken to reach a certain level, goal, or state of being. It often implies a process or a progression towards something. On the other hand, Obtain emphasizes the act of getting or acquiring something, often a physical item or piece of information.
While Attain is often about accomplishment through effort, Obtain focuses on the act of possession. For instance, one might Attain mastery after years of practice, while they Obtain a certificate to prove their expertise. In essence, Attain underscores achievement and realization, whereas Obtain highlights procurement and possession.

Comparison Chart

Definition

Achieving or reaching
Acquiring or securing

Usage Context

Goals, levels, intangible achievements
Items, tangible things, information

Grammatical Role

Typically a verb
Typically a verb
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Examples

Attain success, attain enlightenment
Obtain a book, obtain permission

Nature

Process or effort-centric
Act of possession or procurement-centric

Compare with Definitions

Attain

To reach a specific point or level.
The mountain climber aimed to Attain the summit by noon.

Obtain

To gain possession of.
She went to the store to Obtain fresh produce.

Attain

To come into possession of.
He Attained knowledge through years of study.

Obtain

To come into possession through effort.
He worked diligently to Obtain his degree.

Attain

To achieve through effort.
She worked hard to Attain her professional goals.

Obtain

To be prevalent or in existence.
Peace does not easily Obtain in such volatile regions.

Attain

To arrive at a specific stage or condition.
The athlete Attained peak physical condition after months of training.

Obtain

To be valid or applicable.
Different rules Obtain for outsiders.

Attain

To gain as an objective; achieve
Attain a diploma by hard work.

Obtain

To secure or achieve, especially after effort.
To Obtain a permit, one must fill out the necessary paperwork.

Attain

To come to or arrive at, as through movement, growth, or the passage of time
Redwoods can attain a height of 300 feet.

Obtain

To succeed in gaining possession of as the result of planning or endeavor; acquire.

Attain

To succeed in a directed effort, process, or progression
Attained to high office.
Eventually attained to wisdom.

Obtain

To be in existence, in effect, or customary
"standards, proprieties that no longer obtain" (Meg Greenfield).

Attain

(transitive) To gain (an object or desired result).
To attain such a high level of proficiency requires hours of practice each day.

Obtain

(Archaic) To succeed.

Attain

(transitive) To reach or come to, by progression or motion; to arrive at (a place, time, state, etc.).

Obtain

(transitive) To get hold of; to gain possession of, to procure; to acquire, in any way.

Attain

(intransitive) To come or arrive, by motion, growth, bodily exertion, or efforts toward a place, object, state, etc.

Obtain

To secure (that) a specific objective or state of affairs be reached.

Attain

To get at the knowledge of.

Obtain

To prevail, be victorious; to succeed.

Attain

To reach in excellence or degree.

Obtain

To hold; to keep, possess or occupy.

Attain

To reach a person after being behind them.

Obtain

To exist or be the case; to hold true, be in force.

Attain

To achieve or accomplish, that is, to reach by efforts; to gain; to compass; as, to attain rest.
Is he wise who hopes to attain the end without the means?

Obtain

To hold; to keep; to possess.
His mother, then, is mortal, but his SireHe who obtains the monarchy of heaven.

Attain

To gain or obtain possession of; to acquire.

Obtain

To get hold of by effort; to gain possession of; to procure; to acquire, in any way.
Some pray for riches; riches they obtain.
By guileful fair words peace may be obtained.
It may be that I may obtain children by her.

Attain

To get at the knowledge of; to ascertain.
Not well attaining his meaning.

Obtain

To gain or have a firm footing; to be recognized or established; to become prevalent or general; to prevail; as, the custom obtains of going to the seashore in summer.
Sobriety hath by use obtained to signify temperance in drinking.
The Theodosian code, several hundred years after Justinian's time, did obtain in the western parts of Europe.

Attain

To reach or come to, by progression or motion; to arrive at.

Obtain

To prevail; to succeed.
So run that ye may obtain.
There is due from the judge to the advocate, some commendation, where causes are fair pleaded; especially towards the side which obtaineth not.

Attain

To overtake.

Obtain

Come into possession of;
How did you obtain the visa?

Attain

To reach in excellence or degree; to equal.

Obtain

Receive a specified treatment (abstract);
These aspects of civilization do not find expression or receive an interpretation
His movie received a good review
I got nothing but trouble for my good intentions

Attain

To come or arrive, by motion, growth, bodily exertion, or efforts toward a place, object, state, etc.; to reach.
If by any means they might attain to Phenice.
Nor nearer might the dogs attain.
To see your trees attain to the dignity of timber.
Few boroughs had as yet attained to power such as this.

Obtain

Be valid, applicable, or true;
This theory still holds

Attain

To come or arrive, by an effort of mind.
Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I can not attain unto it.

Attain

Attainment.

Attain

To gain with effort;
She achieved her goal despite setbacks

Attain

Reach a point in time, or a certain state or level;
The thermometer hit 100 degrees
This car can reach a speed of 140 miles per hour

Attain

Find unexpectedly;
The archeologists chanced upon an old tomb
She struck a goldmine
The hikers finally struck the main path to the lake

Attain

Reach a destination, either real or abstract;
We hit Detroit by noon
The water reached the doorstep
We barely made it to the finish line
I have to hit the MAC machine before the weekend starts

Attain

To accomplish or realize something.
With dedication, he was able to Attain mastery in his craft.

Common Curiosities

How does Obtain relate to existence or prevalence?

In some contexts, Obtain means to be prevalent or in existence, e.g., "Such conditions Obtain in the desert."

Is Obtain mainly about physical items?

While Obtain often refers to acquiring tangible items, it can also refer to intangible things like information or permission.

Is the effort always implied with Attain?

Often, yes. Attain usually implies a journey or effort towards achievement.

What does Attain commonly imply?

Attain typically suggests achievement through effort or process.

Can one Attain a physical object?

While it's more common to Obtain objects, one might "Attain" them in the context of a long-sought goal, e.g., Attaining a rare artifact.

Can you Obtain knowledge?

Yes, you can Obtain knowledge, often through study or experience.

How do Attain and Obtain differ in terms of goals?

One might Attain a goal (achievement-focused) but Obtain a reward or result (acquisition-focused).

Can you Attain mastery?

Yes, mastery can be Attained through dedicated effort and practice.

Which word focuses more on the process?

Attain focuses more on the process or effort towards a goal.

Can you Obtain a skill?

While you might Obtain knowledge related to a skill, you typically Attain proficiency in the skill itself.

What might you Obtain from a store?

You might Obtain goods, products, or items from a store.

Is Obtain related to securing permissions?

Yes, one can Obtain permissions, licenses, or approvals.

Does Attain imply progression?

Yes, Attain often implies progression or movement towards a specific point or level.

Is Attain more abstract than Obtain?

Generally, yes. Attain often refers to abstract achievements, while Obtain is more about concrete acquisitions.

Are Attain and Obtain interchangeable?

No, they have nuanced differences and are used in distinct contexts.

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Author Spotlight

Written by
Fiza Rafique
Fiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Tayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.

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