Achievement vs. Progress — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on November 3, 2023
Achievement is the act of accomplishing a goal, while progress refers to the process of moving towards a goal.
Difference Between Achievement and Progress
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Achievement signifies the culmination of efforts in the completion of a task or reaching a goal. It is a point of success or a milestone reached. Progress, however, denotes the ongoing process of moving forward or making strides towards a goal, not necessarily culminating in a final accomplishment.
An achievement is often measurable and can be recognized as a concrete accomplishment, such as receiving a diploma. Progress might be less tangible, seen in gradual improvements or developments over time, such as the learning that occurs throughout a course of study.
While achievements can be celebrated as discrete successes, progress may not always have a clear endpoint and can represent the continuous journey of improvement. Achievements can also be seen as stepping stones within the broader context of progress.
In many cases, progress is necessary for achievement; it is the path that leads to the point of achievement. However, one can make progress without necessarily achieving a final goal, as progress can be an end in itself.
Progress can be seen in the pursuit of personal growth or societal development, whereas achievement often marks the fulfillment of specific objectives within these broader quests. The satisfaction from achievement can be immediate and momentary, while progress may provide a sustained sense of advancement.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
The act of accomplishing or reaching a goal.
The process of moving towards a goal.
Tangibility
Often measurable and concrete.
Can be intangible and continuous.
Temporality
Marks a specific point in time.
Ongoing without a definitive endpoint.
Outcome
Results in a distinct success or milestone.
Indicates advancement or development.
Dependence
Can be a result of progress.
Does not require an achievement to occur.
Compare with Definitions
Achievement
A successful result brought about by hard work.
Winning the science fair was a significant achievement for her.
Progress
Advancement towards a more developed or improved state.
There has been significant progress in cancer research.
Achievement
The completion of something due to effort or skill.
His invention was an achievement that changed the industry.
Progress
Gradual improvement or growth over time.
Her progress in mathematics has been impressive this semester.
Achievement
The act of reaching a goal or overcoming a challenge.
Graduating with honors was her greatest achievement.
Progress
The development of an individual or society.
The country's economic progress is evident in its GDP growth.
Achievement
A thing done successfully with effort, skill, or courage.
Climbing Mount Everest is considered a remarkable achievement.
Progress
Forward or onward movement towards a destination.
The progress on the new highway project is ahead of schedule.
Achievement
A record or level of success achieved.
The new sales record was an achievement for the company.
Progress
Forward or onward movement, as toward a destination
We made little progress on our way home because of the traffic.
Achievement
A thing done successfully with effort, skill, or courage
To reach this stage is a great achievement
Progress
Development, advancement, or improvement, as toward a goal
The math students have shown great progress.
Achievement
The process or fact of achieving something
The achievement of professional recognition
A sense of achievement
Assessing ability in terms of academic achievement
Progress
A ceremonial journey made by a sovereign through that sovereign's realm.
Achievement
A representation of a coat of arms with all the adjuncts to which a bearer of arms is entitled.
Progress
To move forward or onward
The ship progressed toward the equator.
Achievement
The process of achieving something
She devoted her life to the achievement of voting rights for women.
Progress
To develop, advance, or improve
Research progressed on the new vaccine.
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.
Progress
To increase in scope or severity, as a disease taking an unfavorable course.
Achievement
The act of achieving or performing; a successful performance; accomplishment.
Progress
Movement or advancement through a series of events, or points in time; development through time.
Testing for the new antidote is currently in progress.
Achievement
A great or heroic deed or feat; something accomplished by valor or boldness.
Progress
Specifically, advancement to a higher or more developed state; development, growth.
Science has made extraordinary progress in the last fifty years.
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.
Progress
An official journey made by a monarch or other high personage; a state journey, a circuit.
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.
Progress
A journey forward; travel.
Achievement
The lexical aspect (aktionsart) of verbs or predicates that change in an instant.
Progress
Movement onwards or forwards or towards a specific objective or direction; advance.
The thick branches overhanging the path made progress difficult.
Achievement
(sociology) The successful completion of a socially defined goal or task, highlighting individual or group accomplishment.
Progress
(intransitive) To move, go, or proceed forward; to advance.
Visitors progress through the museum at their own pace.
Achievement
The act of achieving or performing; an obtaining by exertion; successful performance; accomplishment; as, the achievement of his object.
Progress
(intransitive) To develop.
Societies progress unevenly.
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.
Progress
(by extension) To improve; to become better or more complete.
Achievement
An escutcheon or ensign armorial; now generally applied to the funeral shield commonly called hatchment.
Progress
(transitive) To expedite.
Achievement
The action of accomplishing something
Progress
A moving or going forward; a proceeding onward; an advance
Progress
A journey of state; a circuit; especially, one made by a sovereign through parts of his own dominions.
The king being returned from his progresse.
Progress
To make progress; to move forward in space; to continue onward in course; to proceed; to advance; to go on; as, railroads are progressing.
Let me wipe off this honorable dew,That silverly doth progress on thy checks.
They progress in that style in proportion as their pieces are treated with contempt.
The war had progressed for some time.
Progress
To make improvement; to advance.
If man progresses, art must progress too.
Progress
To make progress in; to pass through.
Progress
Gradual improvement or growth or development;
Advancement of knowledge
Great progress in the arts
Progress
The act of moving forward toward a goal
Progress
A movement forward;
He listened for the progress of the troops
Progress
Develop in a positive way;
He progressed well in school
My plants are coming along
Plans are shaping up
Progress
Move forward, also in the metaphorical sense;
Time marches on
Progress
Form or accumulate steadily;
Resistance to the manager's plan built up quickly
Pressure is building up at the Indian-Pakistani border
Progress
The act of moving through a process or sequence of stages.
Progress through the tournament was tougher than expected.
Common Curiosities
Can progress be made without achievement?
Yes, one can make progress without reaching a final achievement.
Can a society have achievements?
Yes, societal achievements can be seen in milestones like legislative reforms or technological advances.
Is progress always positive?
Progress is generally seen as positive, but it can be neutral or negative depending on context.
Are achievements always permanent?
Achievements are momentous but not always permanent; they can be surpassed or become obsolete.
Do achievements require progress?
Achievements typically require progress, as they are often the culmination of ongoing efforts.
How do we measure achievement?
Achievement is often measured by specific targets or standards reached.
Can progress be measured?
Progress can be measured in terms of steps taken towards a goal, though it may be less definitive than achievement.
What defines an achievement?
An achievement is a completed goal or objective, typically recognized as an accomplishment.
How do individuals celebrate achievements?
Individuals celebrate achievements through recognition, ceremonies, or personal rewards.
Is there a limit to progress?
There is no inherent limit to progress; it is an ongoing process.
Can progress lead to multiple achievements?
Yes, progress can result in a series of achievements.
Does progress imply change?
Progress implies a process of change or development.
Is progress the same as improvement?
Progress includes improvement, but it can also entail simply moving forward or developing in any direction.
Is achievement a journey or a destination?
Achievement is more like a destination, a specific point of success.
Can one have progress without change?
Progress inherently involves change, as it denotes movement from one state to another.
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Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba 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.
