3 syllables: at, tain, ment. Stress on tain.
uh-TAYN-muhnt
/əˈteɪnmənt/
attainment is pronounced uh-TAYN-muhnt (/əˈteɪnmənt/). It has three syllables (at-tain-ment), with the stress on "tain". Attainment refers to the achieving or reaching of a goal, standard, or level. It denotes the successful result of effort, study, or growth, often implying measured progression over time. In education or achievement contexts, attainment highlights the extent to which objectives have been met and milestones have been achieved.
Attainment refers to the achieving or reaching of a goal, standard, or level. It denotes the successful result of effort, study, or growth, often implying measured progression over time. In education or achievement contexts, attainment highlights the extent to which objectives have been met and milestones have been achieved.
- Common challenges include misplacing primary stress on the first syllable, over-pronouncing the first syllable as /æ/ instead of a reduced schwa, and not preserving the /n/ before /m/ which can blur syllable boundaries. To correct: practice marked syllable division: a-TAIN-ment; use a quick, light schwa in the first syllable and ensure the /t/ is released clearly after /n/. Practice with held vowels to stabilize rhythm and reduce speed until you can articulate the diphthong /eɪ/ distinctly.
"Her academic attainment rose steadily as she completed more coursework."
"The attainment of fluency in a new language can take years of consistent practice."
"Fiscal policies aim to raise attainment in literacy and numeracy across the population."
Pronounce as /əˈteɪn.mənt/ in many contexts, with primary stress on the second syllable. Break it into syllables: a- TT- ain- ment, where the glide /eɪ/ is in the stressed diphthong /teɪn/. Tip: start with an unstressed schwa /ə/ then stress the /teɪn/ portion, ending with /mənt/. Listen for a smooth transition from /ɪ/ to /ə/ in rapid speech.
Common mistakes: misplacing stress (treating as a-TAIN-ment), pronouncing /æ/ in the first syllable instead of a schwa, and eliding the /n/ before /t/ (attain-ment). Correction tips: ensure the primary stress sits on the second syllable /teɪn/; reduce the initial vowel to a short schwa /ə/ and maintain a clear /n/ before the /m/ in /mənt/. Practicing with minimal pairs can help you lock the rhythm.
In US English, you’ll hear /əˈteɪn.mənt/ with a rhotic, neutral /r/ absence in non-rhotic areas; primary stress on the second syllable. UK English usually shows /ˌætˈeɪn.mənt/ with stronger initial lax vowel in some regions and clear /t/ release; the primary stress is also on -tain-. Australian English tends to have a closer front vowel in /æ/ and a slightly flatter /eɪ/; stress often lands on the second syllable, and non-rhoticity may apply, so /əˈteɪn.mənt/ or /ˌæˈteɪn.mənt/ in some dialects.
It’s tricky due to the multi-syllabic structure and the stressed diphthong /eɪ/ followed by a schwa and a nasal cluster /n.m/ before the /t/ stop. The transition from /teɪn/ to /mənt/ requires precise timing of the nasal /n/ and the /m/ coarticulation before the alveolar /t/. Also, the initial weak vowel /ə/ can be reduced or strengthened depending on the speaker, which affects overall rhythm.
No silent letters. Every phoneme is voiced or voiceless in sequence: /ə/ /ˈ teɪn/ /mənt/. Focus on clearly enunciating the /t/ after /n/ and maintaining the /n/ before /m/ to avoid blending that obscures the syllable boundary.
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- US: rhoticity affects the ending; keep the non-rhotic feel in some environments and stress the /teɪn/ syllable. - UK: potential stronger vowel clarity in /æ/ or /eɪ/ depending on region; primary stress commonly on the -tain- syllable. - AU: tendency toward a flatter vowel quality and slightly shorter vowels; ensure the /ə/ initial and /teɪn/ are crisp. IPA references: /əˈteɪn.mənt/ (US), /ˌætˈeɪn.mənt/ (UK), /ˌæˈteɪn.mənt/ (AU). Use breath management to yield crisp stops.
Attainment derives from Middle English attainen, from Old French atteindre, from Latin attingere ‘to touch, reach, arrive at,’ from ad- ‘to’ + tangere ‘to touch.’ The word entered English in the 14th century with senses tied to reaching or achieving something physically or figuratively. Over time, it generalized to denote reaching a goal, standard, or level, particularly in education or personal achievement. The semantic arc moved from literal contact or touching to the abstract sense of achieving a desired state or criterion. The noun form gained prominence in academic and professional discourse as a measure of success, progress, or milestones attained. In contemporary usage, attainment frequently collocates with academic, educational, professional, or social contexts, underscoring its evaluative aspect in qualifications and outcomes. The Latin root tangere also yields related terms in English such as tangible, tactic, and contact, highlighting the shared lineage of form and meaning around reaching or touching a target.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "attainment" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "attainment" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "attainment"
-ent sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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