at·tain·a·ble

[uh-tey-nuh-buhl]
adjective
capable of being attained.
Origin:
1640–50; attain + -able

Related forms
at·tain·a·bil·i·ty, at·tain·a·ble·ness, noun
non·at·tain·a·bil·i·ty, noun
non·at·tain·a·ble, adjective
su·per·at·tain·a·ble, adjective
su·per·at·tain·a·ble·ness, noun
su·per·at·tain·a·b·ly, adverb
un·at·tain·a·bil·i·ty, noun
un·at·tain·a·ble, adjective
un·at·tain·a·ble·ness, noun
un·at·tain·a·b·ly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source Link To unattainable
00:10
Unattainable is always a great word to know.
So is lollapalooza. Does it mean:
an extraordinary or unusual thing, person, or event; an exceptional example or instance.
a gadget; dingus; thingumbob.
LEARN MORE UNUSUAL WORDS WITH WORD DYNAMO...
Collins
World English Dictionary
attain (əˈteɪn) [Click for IPA pronunciation guide]
 
—vb (often foll by to)
1.  (tr) to achieve or accomplish (a task, goal, aim, etc)
2.  (tr) to reach or arrive at in space or time: to attain old age
3.  to arrive (at) with effort or exertion: to attain to glory
 
[C14: from Old French ateindre, from Latin attingere to reach, from tangere to touch]
 
at'tainable
 
—adj
 
attaina'bility
 
—n
 
at'tainableness
 
—n

unattainable (ˌʌnəˈteɪnəbəl) [Click for IPA pronunciation guide]
 
—adj
not achievable or accomplishable: an unattainable goal

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
Etymonline
Word Origin & History

unattainable
1662, from un- (1) "not" + attain + -able.

attainable
1640s, from attain + -able.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
Example sentences
He should also have bodily activity and strength, unattainable by our sedentary
  life in public offices.
Both of which are more expensive in the immediate and therefore are often more
  unattainable.
The architects recognized that perfection is unattainable.
Given that it's the traveling salesman problem, the solution of the shortest
  routes is unattainable in practice.
Partners:WordBloglinesCitysearchThe Daily BeastAsk AnswersAsk KidsLife123SendoriHome Advisor
Copyright © 2013 Dictionary.com, LLC. All rights reserved.
About PRIVACY POLICY Terms API Careers Advertise with Us Contact Us Suggest a Word Help
  • Please Login or Sign Up to use the Recent Searches feature
FAVORITES
RECENT