Accomplished vs. Accomplish: What's the Difference?
By Harlon Moss || Updated on May 29, 2024
Accomplished refers to having achieved something successfully, often denoting expertise, while accomplish is the act of completing or achieving something.
Key Differences
Accomplished is an adjective describing someone who has achieved a significant level of success or skill in a particular area. For example, an accomplished musician has reached a high level of proficiency in music. It implies a sense of completion and recognition. Accomplish, on the other hand, is a verb that means to complete or achieve a task or goal. For instance, to accomplish a project means to bring it to a successful conclusion. It focuses on the action of achieving rather than the state of having achieved.
When someone is described as accomplished, it often suggests they have a proven track record of successes. This term conveys a sense of respect and admiration for their achievements. In contrast, accomplish is used to describe the process of successfully completing an endeavor. It is more about the effort and action required to reach a goal.
Accomplished people have a history of accomplishments, indicating that they have repeatedly succeeded in their endeavors. Their accomplishments are the results of their ability to accomplish various tasks effectively.
The distinction lies in the usage: accomplished as an adjective for describing the state of having achieved, while accomplish as a verb for the act of achieving.
Comparison Chart
Part of Speech
Adjective
Verb
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Meaning
Having achieved success
To complete or achieve
Usage
Describes someone's state or skill
Describes the act of achieving
Example
An accomplished artist
To accomplish a task
Focus
State of achievement
Action of achieving
Accomplished and Accomplish Definitions
Accomplished
Successfully completed.
The project was accomplished ahead of schedule.
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Accomplish
To complete successfully.
We need to accomplish our goals this year.
Accomplished
Distinguished by notable success.
She is an accomplished athlete with numerous medals.
Accomplish
To achieve or bring to fruition.
They accomplished the mission with great effort.
Accomplished
Highly skilled or talented.
He is an accomplished pianist.
Accomplish
To carry out or perform a task.
He accomplished his duties with diligence.
Accomplished
Recognized for significant achievements.
The scientist is an accomplished researcher.
Accomplish
To fulfill a promise or plan.
She accomplished her promise to visit every country.
Accomplished
Having achieved success or proficiency in a field.
She is an accomplished writer known for her novels.
Accomplish
To succeed in doing (a task, for example); carry out or complete.
Accomplished
Skilled; expert
An accomplished pianist.
Accomplish
(transitive) To finish successfully.
Accomplished
Having many social graces; polished or refined.
Accomplish
(transitive) To complete, as time or distance.
Accomplished
Unquestionable; indubitable
That smoking causes health problems is an accomplished fact.
Accomplish
(transitive) To execute fully; to fulfill; to complete successfully.
To accomplish a design, an object, a promise
Accomplished
Completed; effected; established.
An accomplished fact
Accomplish
To equip or furnish thoroughly; hence, to complete in acquirements; to render accomplished; to polish.
Accomplished
Having many accomplishments, often as a result of study or training.
An accomplished scholar, an accomplished villain
Accomplish
To gain; to obtain.
Accomplished
Showing skill and artistry.
An accomplished first novel
Accomplish
To fill out a form.
Accomplished
Simple past tense and past participle of accomplish
Accomplish
To complete, as time or distance.
That He would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem.
He had accomplished half a league or more.
Accomplished
Completed; effected; established; as, an accomplished fact.
Accomplish
To bring to an issue of full success; to effect; to perform; to execute fully; to fulfill; as, to accomplish a design, an object, a promise.
This that is written must yet be accomplished in me.
Accomplished
Complete in acquirements as the result usually of training; - commonly in a good sense; as, an accomplished scholar, an accomplished villain.
They . . . show themselves accomplished bees.
Daughter of God and man, accomplished Eve.
Accomplish
To equip or furnish thoroughly; hence, to complete in acquirements; to render accomplished; to polish.
The armorers accomplishing the knights.
It [the moon] is fully accomplished for all those ends to which Providence did appoint it.
These qualities . . . go to accomplish a perfect woman.
Accomplished
Highly skilled;
An accomplished pianist
A complete musician
Accomplish
To gain; to obtain.
He . . . expressed his desire to see a union accomplished between England and Scotland.
To work in close design by fraud or guileWhat force effected not.
The Saints, like stars, around his seatPerform their courses still.
Accomplished
Successfully completed or brought to an end;
His mission accomplished he took a vacation
The completed project
The joy of a realized ambition overcame him
Accomplish
Put in effect;
Carry out a task
Execute the decision of the people
He actioned the operation
Accomplished
Settled securely and unconditionally;
That smoking causes health problems is an accomplished fact
Accomplish
To gain with effort;
She achieved her goal despite setbacks
Accomplish
To finish something.
They accomplished the building of the bridge in record time.
FAQs
What does "accomplish" mean?
It means to complete or achieve something.
What part of speech is "accomplish"?
Accomplish is a verb.
What part of speech is "accomplished"?
Accomplished is an adjective.
Can "accomplish" refer to completing a task?
Yes, it refers to bringing a task to a successful conclusion.
Is "accomplish" about the process of achieving?
Yes, it focuses on the action needed to achieve something.
Can "accomplished" be used to describe a person?
Yes, it describes someone who has achieved a significant level of success or skill.
Does "accomplished" imply a history of success?
Yes, it suggests a proven track record of achievements.
Is "accomplished" used to describe the state of achievement?
Yes, it indicates having achieved success.
What is an example of using "accomplish" in a sentence?
e.g., We need to accomplish our objectives by the end of the month.
Is "accomplish" used in formal contexts?
It can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
Does "accomplished" have a positive connotation?
Yes, it generally has a positive connotation.
Can "accomplished" be used in the past tense?
It is already an adjective describing a state of having achieved.
What is an example of using "accomplished" in a sentence?
e.g., She is an accomplished dancer.
Does "accomplish" require effort?
Yes, it often involves effort and action.
Is "accomplish" about results?
Yes, it focuses on achieving desired outcomes.
Can "accomplished" describe completed tasks?
Yes, it can describe successfully completed tasks.
Can "accomplished" be synonymous with "experienced"?
Yes, in contexts where experience denotes achieved skill.
Is "accomplish" dynamic?
Yes, it involves the action of achieving.
Can "accomplished" be used for inanimate objects?
Yes, for example, "an accomplished work of art."
Is "accomplish" related to goals?
Yes, it often refers to achieving goals.
About Author
Written by
Harlon MossHarlon is a seasoned quality moderator and accomplished content writer for Difference Wiki. An alumnus of the prestigious University of California, he earned his degree in Computer Science. Leveraging his academic background, Harlon brings a meticulous and informed perspective to his work, ensuring content accuracy and excellence.