reach
/riːtʃ/to extend one's hand or arm to touch or grasp something
He reached into his pocket to get his keys.
He extended his hand into his pocket to retrieve his keys.
Commonly used to describe physical movement to obtain or touch something.
to arrive at a destination or goal
We finally reached the summit after hours of climbing.
We arrived at the top of the mountain after a long climb.
Often used to describe the completion of a journey or task.
to extend in influence, effect, or scope
The policy reached every corner of the country.
The policy affected every part of the country.
Used metaphorically to describe the extent of something's impact.
Collocations
Synonyms
Antonyms
Related Phrases
💡Pro Tip
Physical vs. Metaphorical Use
Be mindful of the context to determine if 'reach' is used literally (physical movement) or metaphorically (achieving goals).
⚡Gold Rule
Preposition Choice
Use 'reach for' when attempting to grasp something and 'reach out' when extending a hand or communicating.
📖Word Origin
Old English 'rǣcan', from Proto-Germanic 'raikijaną', meaning 'to stretch out'.
📝Usage Notes
Can be used both literally (physical movement) and metaphorically (achieving goals or extending influence).