What does accomplishable mean?
"Accomplishable" is an adjective meaning capable of being accomplished — that is, able to be completed, achieved, or brought to a successful end. It is formed from the verb "accomplish," which traces back through Old French "acomplir" to the Latin "complere," meaning "to fill up or complete." In use, the word typically appears when goals, tasks, or plans are being assessed for practicality: a target is accomplishable if the resources, time, and effort required to reach it are realistically available. The word carries a neutral, slightly formal tone and is more at home in written English — reports, planning documents, and evaluations — than in casual conversation, where speakers usually prefer "achievable," "feasible," or the informal "doable." Its closest synonym is "achievable," though "accomplishable" subtly emphasizes completion of a task rather than mere attainment of a goal. Though not among English's most common adjectives, it fills a precise niche: it names the quality of being within reach of accomplishment.
adjectiveCapable of being accomplished or achieved; able to be brought to a successful conclusion.
- Capable of being achieved, completed, or carried out successfully.
"With the new funding in place, the project's remaining goals finally seemed accomplishable."
"Breaking the marathon into weekly milestones made the training plan feel accomplishable."
"The committee concluded that none of the proposals was accomplishable within the current budget."
It's the rare adjective that turns a whole verb — "accomplish" — into a simple yes-or-no question: can this actually get done?
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of accomplishable
"Accomplishable" derives from the verb "accomplish," which entered English from Old French "acomplir" in the late Middle English period, ultimately rooted in Latin "complere" ("to fill up, complete") via the prefix "ad-" ("to, toward"). The adjective was formed with the suffix "-able," which marks capability or fitness for the action of the verb. It shares this Latin root with words such as "complete," "comply," and "accomplishment."
How accomplishable is actually used
Relatively uncommon and somewhat formal; "achievable," "feasible," and "doable" are far more frequent in everyday speech. "Accomplishable" tends to appear in planning, project-management, and evaluative writing.
Easily confused with accomplishable
"Accomplished" describes something already completed or a person highly skilled, while "accomplishable" describes something that can still be done or achieved.