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.
