attainable

Attainable is an adjective used to describe something that can be achieved, reached, or accomplished. In everyday language it commonly qualifies goals, targets, or outcomes as within reach, indicating feasibility and a realistic likelihood of success given appropriate resources, effort, and time. The term is often contrasted with unattainable or impossible to emphasize the difference between feasible plans and those beyond reach.

Etymology and usage: Attainable derives from the verb attain combined with the suffix -able. The construction reflects a longstanding English pattern for describing potential states and capabilities. In modern usage it is frequently preferred in formal or policy contexts when a clear boundary between possible and impossible is needed, and it can substitute for "achievable" in many contexts.

Applications: In education, business, and personal development, specifying attainable goals helps maintain motivation and accountability. Goal-setting frameworks such as SMART commonly emphasize feasibility, with variants using "achievable" or "attainable" to ensure objectives are realistic yet challenging. The phrase "attainable living wage" or "attainable dream" is used to denote aspirational outcomes that remain practically accessible with effort and resources.

See also: feasibility, realism, goal setting, productivity. Attainable concepts are closely tied to practical feasibility assessments and planning processes that aim to balance ambition with what can reasonably be achieved.