Etymology
The word “accomplishment” derives from the English verb “accomplish” combined with the suffix “-ment,” indicating the result or process of an action. It was borrowed from French accomplissement, which comes from the verb accomplir meaning “to fulfill” or “to complete.” First attested in the early 15th century, with senses related to completion appearing around 1600.
Pronunciation
In Received Pronunciation: /əˈkɒm.plɪʃ.mənt/ or /əˈkʌm.plɪʃ.mənt/. In General American: /əˈkɑːm.plɪʃ.mənt/. The primary stress is on the second syllable: ə-KOM-plish-mənt. To practice, break it into syllables and emphasize the “kom” sound.
Morphology
“Accomplishment” is formed by adding the suffix “-ment” to “accomplish,” turning the verb into a noun denoting the act or result. The root “accomplish” comes from Old French, blending Latin ad- (to) and complere (to fill up). Related forms include “accomplished” (adjective) and “accomplishing” (verb form).
Grammar Notes
“Accomplishment” is a noun, countable or uncountable. Use it as countable for specific achievements (e.g., “a great accomplishment”) or uncountable for the general concept (e.g., “full of accomplishment”). It fits lexical aspect in grammar, describing telic events (those with a natural endpoint) like finishing a task.
Meanings
- The act of accomplishing; completion or fulfillment of something.
- Something accomplished; an achievement or success.
- A skill or talent acquired through education or training, enhancing one’s abilities or manners.
- In linguistics: The aspect of verbs indicating progression to a natural end point.
Short Interesting Facts
Historically, “accomplishment” in the 18th century referred to social graces like playing music or dancing, seen as essential for refined individuals—think Jane Austen’s novels where characters boast “accomplishments” to attract suitors. Today, it evokes personal milestones, from career wins to personal growth.
Tips on How to Learn It Easier
Associate it with “complete” or “achieve” to remember the root. Visualize a finish line for the sense of fulfillment. Practice by listing your daily “accomplishments” in a journal to build familiarity. Mnemonic: “A ccomplish ment” – “A complete moment of success.”
Cultural or Contextual Features
In Western culture, “accomplishments” are often highlighted in resumes or eulogies, symbolizing progress and self-worth. In motivational contexts like self-help books, it’s tied to goal-setting (e.g., “small accomplishments lead to big dreams”). Cross-culturally, it parallels concepts like Japanese seikō (success) but emphasizes personal effort.
Examples
Simple: Her accomplishment made her happy.
Medium: Finishing the marathon was a major accomplishment for the runner.
Complex: Despite numerous obstacles, the team’s accomplishment in launching the innovative product not only boosted company morale but also revolutionized the industry.
Synonyms, Antonyms, and Common Word Combinations
Synonyms: Achievement, attainment, feat, success.
Antonyms: Failure, setback, defeat.
Common combinations: Sense of accomplishment, major accomplishment, list of accomplishments, personal accomplishment.
Mini-Tasks for Students
- Make a sentence: Describe one of your recent accomplishments using the word.
- Find a synonym: Replace “accomplishment” in “It was a great accomplishment” with a synonym and explain why it fits.
- Quiz yourself: What does the “-ment” suffix do? Give another example word.
- Context challenge: Use “accomplishment” in a sentence about historical figures, like inventors.