Accomplishment vs. Achievement — What's the Difference?

By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on September 16, 2023

Accomplishment refers to a specific task completed successfully. Achievement is the realization of an aim or purpose, often a milestone. Accomplishments are subsets of achievements.

Accomplishment vs. Achievement — What's the Difference?

Difference Between Accomplishment and Achievement

Key Differences

"Accomplishment" refers to the completion of a specific task or the mastery of a skill.

"Achievement," on the other hand, refers to the realization of a broader aim, goal, or purpose in life or a career.

Accomplishments are often specific and can serve as stepping stones towards an achievement.

Achievements tend to be milestones that signify a level of mastery or completion in a broader sense.

While an accomplishment can be an achievement, not all achievements are mere accomplishments; they can be more overarching.

Comparison Chart

Scope

Narrow, specific

Broader, more general

Duration

Short-term

Can be long-term

Measure

Task-oriented

Goal-oriented

Significance

May be less significant

Generally more significant

Complexity

Usually simpler

Can be more complex

Compare with Definitions

Accomplishment

In academics, an accomplishment can be completing a course or degree.

Finishing his Ph.D. was an impressive accomplishment.

Achievement

An achievement is the realization of a long-term goal or ambition.

Winning a Nobel Prize was his ultimate achievement.

Accomplishment

An accomplishment is a task or project successfully completed.

Learning to play the guitar was a major accomplishment for her.

Achievement

In academics, an achievement could be the successful completion of advanced studies.

Earning a full scholarship was an academic achievement.

Accomplishment

In sports, an accomplishment refers to a successfully executed move or play.

Scoring a hat-trick was a notable accomplishment.

Achievement

In art, an achievement refers to a body of work recognized by others.

Her exhibitions around the world are a testament to her achievement.

Accomplishment

In art, an accomplishment refers to a finished piece of work.

Completing the mural was her latest accomplishment.

Achievement

In relationships, an achievement can be building a strong and enduring partnership.

Celebrating their 50th anniversary was a milestone achievement.

Accomplishment

In relationships, an accomplishment could be solving a problem together.

Getting through a difficult time was a meaningful accomplishment for the couple.

Achievement

In sports, an achievement refers to reaching a significant milestone.

Becoming an Olympic athlete was a major achievement.

Accomplishment

The act of accomplishing or the state of being accomplished; completion

The accomplishment of this task has taken months.

Achievement

A thing done successfully with effort, skill, or courage

To reach this stage is a great achievement

Accomplishment

Something carried out or completed successfully; an achievement

She was honored for her many accomplishments as a researcher.

Achievement

The process or fact of achieving something

The achievement of professional recognition

A sense of achievement

Assessing ability in terms of academic achievement

Accomplishment

An acquired skill or refinement

A singer known for his accomplishment in vocal technique.

Achievement

A representation of a coat of arms with all the adjuncts to which a bearer of arms is entitled.

Accomplishment

The act of accomplishing; completion; fulfilment.

The accomplishment of an enterprise, of a prophecy, etc

Achievement

The process of achieving something

She devoted her life to the achievement of voting rights for women.

Accomplishment

That which completes, perfects, or equips thoroughly; acquirement; attainment; that which constitutes excellence of mind, or elegance of manners, acquired by education or training.

Achievement

Something that has been achieved, especially by means of skill or perseverance

The discovery of antibiotics is one of the great achievements of modern medicine.

Accomplishment

Something accomplished; an achievement.

Increasing sales by 20% in the last quarter was seen as a major accomplishment for the business.

Achievement

The act of achieving or performing; a successful performance; accomplishment.

Accomplishment

The lexical aspect (aktionsart) of verbs or predicates that change over time until a natural end point.

Achievement

A great or heroic deed or feat; something accomplished by valor or boldness.

Accomplishment

The act of accomplishing; entire performance; completion; fulfillment; as, the accomplishment of an enterprise, of a prophecy, etc.

Achievement

(heraldry) An escutcheon or ensign armorial; a full display or depiction of all the heraldic components to which the bearer of a coat of arms is entitled; a funeral shield: the hatchment.

Accomplishment

That which completes, perfects, or equips thoroughly; acquirement; attainment; that which constitutes excellence of mind, or elegance of manners, acquired by education or training.

Accomplishments have taken virtue's place,And wisdom falls before exterior grace.

Achievement

(video games) An award for completing a particular task or meeting an objective in a video game.

Finishing the game does not give you a 100% score until you have unlocked all of the achievements.

Accomplishment

The action of accomplishing something

Achievement

The lexical aspect (aktionsart) of verbs or predicates that change in an instant.

Accomplishment

An ability that has been acquired by training

Achievement

(sociology) The successful completion of a socially defined goal or task, highlighting individual or group accomplishment.

Achievement

The act of achieving or performing; an obtaining by exertion; successful performance; accomplishment; as, the achievement of his object.

Achievement

A great or heroic deed; something accomplished by valor, boldness, or praiseworthy exertion; a feat.

[The exploits] of the ancient saints . . . do far surpass the most famous achievements of pagan heroes.

The highest achievements of the human intellect.

Achievement

An escutcheon or ensign armorial; now generally applied to the funeral shield commonly called hatchment.

Achievement

The action of accomplishing something

Common Curiosities

What does Accomplishment mean?

Accomplishment refers to a specific task completed successfully.

What does Achievement mean?

Achievement is the realization of an aim or purpose.

Can you measure Accomplishment?

Usually, it can be quantified, like completing a to-do list.

Are Accomplishments always small?

Not necessarily, but they are often specific and narrower in scope.

Is Achievement always significant?

Generally, achievements are seen as significant milestones.

Can you have an Accomplishment in relationships?

Yes, like solving a relationship problem.

Can an Accomplishment be an Achievement?

Yes, accomplishments can be achievements if they meet a broader goal.

Is Accomplishment short-term?

Often, but not always. It depends on the task.

Can you have an Achievement in relationships?

Yes, like building a long-lasting relationship.

Are Accomplishments always positive?

Usually, they are seen as positive steps.

How do you use Accomplishment in a sentence?

"Her main accomplishment was learning to cook."

Can you measure Achievement?

Often, achievements are milestones that signify broader success.

Is Achievement long-term?

Generally, but quick, significant milestones can also be achievements.

Are Achievements always positive?

Generally, they are milestones seen as positive.

How do you use Achievement in a sentence?

"His greatest achievement was climbing Mount Everest."

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Author Spotlight

Written by

Tayyaba Rehman

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.