4 VERB If you attack a job or a problem, you start to deal with it in an energetic way. □ [V n] …an attempt to attack the budget problem.
5 VERB In games such as football, when one team attacks the opponent's goal, they try to score a goal. □ [V n] Now the U.S. is controlling the ball and attacking the opponent's goal. □ [V ] The goal was just reward for Villa's decision to attack constantly in the second half. ● N‑COUNT Attack is also a noun. □ Lee was at the hub of some incisive attacks in the second half.
6 N‑COUNT An attack of an illness is a short period in which you suffer badly from it. □ [+ of ] It had brought on an attack of asthma.
7 → see also counter-attack , heart attack
at|tack|er /ətæ kə r / (attackers ) N‑COUNT You can refer to a person who attacks someone as their attacker . □ There were signs that she struggled with her attacker before she was repeatedly stabbed.
at|tain /əte I n/ (attains , attaining , attained )
1 VERB If you attain something, you gain it or achieve it, often after a lot of effort. [FORMAL ] □ [V n] Jim is halfway to attaining his pilot's licence.
2 VERB If you attain a particular state or condition, you may reach it as a result of natural development or work hard to attain this state. □ [V n] …attaining a state of calmness and confidence.
at|tain|able /əte I nəb ə l/ ADJ Something that is attainable can be achieved. □ It is unrealistic to believe perfection is an attainable goal.
at|tain|ment /əte I nmənt/ (attainments )
1 N‑UNCOUNT The attainment of an aim is the achieving of it. [FORMAL ] □ [+ of ] …the attainment of independence.
2 N‑COUNT An attainment is a skill you have learned or something you have achieved. [FORMAL ] □ …their educational attainments.
at|tempt ◆◆◆ /əte mpt/ (attempts , attempting , attempted )
1 VERB If you attempt to do something, especially something difficult, you try to do it. □ [V to-inf] The only time that we attempted to do something like that was in the city of Philadelphia. □ [V n] Before I could attempt a reply he added over his shoulder: 'Wait there.'
2 N‑COUNT [oft N to-inf] If you make an attempt to do something, you try to do it, often without success. □ …a deliberate attempt to destabilise the defence. □ [+ at ] It was one of his rare attempts at humour.
3 N‑COUNT An attempt on someone's life is an attempt to kill them. □ [+ on ] …an attempt on the life of the former Iranian Prime Minister. COLLOCATIONS attempt NOUN 2
noun + attempt : assassination, coup; escape, rescue; takeover
adjective + attempt : abortive, botched, failed, futile, unsuccessful, vain; desperate; brave, valiant
verb + attempt : block, defeat, foil, frustrate, prevent; make SYNONYMS attempt VERB 1
seek: He also denied that he would seek to annex the country.
try: I tried calling him when I got here but he wasn't at home.
aim: …an appeal which aims to raise funds for children with special needs.
strive: He strives hard to keep himself very fit.
endeavour: They are endeavouring to protect trade union rights NOUN 2
try: After a few tries Patrick gave up any attempt to reform her.
bid: …Sydney's successful bid for the 2000 Olympic Games®.
shot: The heavyweight champion will be given a shot at Holyfield's world title.
go: I always wanted to have a go at football.
effort: …his efforts to reform Italian research.
at|tempt|ed /əte mpt I d/ ADJ [ADJ n] An attempted crime or unlawful action is an unsuccessful effort to commit the crime or action. □ …a case of attempted murder.
at|tend ◆◆◇ /əte nd/ (attends , attending , attended )
1 VERB If you attend a meeting or other event, you are present at it. □ [be V -ed + by ] The meeting will be attended by finance ministers from many countries. □ [V ] We want the maximum number of people to attend to help us cover our costs.
2 VERB If you attend an institution such as a school, college, or church, you go there regularly. □ [V n] They attended college together at the University of Pennsylvania. [Also V ]
3 VERB If you attend to something, you deal with it. If you attend to someone who is hurt or injured, you care for them. □ [V + to ] The staff will helpfully attend to your needs. □ [V + to ] The main thing is to attend to the injured. COLLOCATIONS attend VERB
1
attend + noun : ceremony, event, function, party, reception, service; conference, hearing, meeting, session; class, course, seminar, workshop; funeral, wedding
2
attend + noun : college, school, university; church
at|tend|ance /əte ndəns/ (attendances )
1 N‑UNCOUNT Someone's attendance at an event or an institution is the fact that they are present at the event or go regularly to the institution. □ [+ at ] Her attendance at school was sporadic.