reach

To stretch out your hand or arm to touch or take something.

• She reached for the cup.
• He reached into his pocket and pulled out a key.
• Can you reach across the table and take that plate?

How to use it: reach for something (He reached for his phone.); reach into something (She reached into her bag for a tissue.); reach out to do something (I reached out to touch the soft fabric.)

Similar words: stretch out

Common phrases: reach for something, reach into something, reach out, reach across something

To arrive at a place or destination.

• We reached home at six.
• The boat reached the island safely.
• When will you reach the airport?

How to use it: reach + place (We reached the hotel before dark.)

Similar words: arrive at, get to

Common phrases: reach home, reach the station, reach a destination, reach the coast

To get to a particular level, age, amount, or stage.

• The temperature reached thirty degrees.
• She hopes to reach an advanced level this year.
• Few of these young animals reach adulthood.

Similar words: attain, get to

Common phrases: reach adulthood, reach a level, reach a peak, reach a target

To arrive at a decision or shared understanding after thinking or discussing something.

• We reached an agreement.
• The jury has not reached a decision yet.
• How did you reach that conclusion?

Similar words: arrive at, come to

Common phrases: reach an agreement, reach a conclusion, reach a decision, reach a compromise

To be long, tall, or wide enough to touch or extend to a particular point.

• Her hair reaches her waist.
• The water reached up to our knees.
• These branches almost reach the bedroom window.

How to use it: reach (up/down) to something (The curtains reach down to the floor.)

Similar words: extend to, stretch to

Common phrases: reach the floor, reach someone's waist, reach up to, reach down to

To give something to another person by stretching out your hand.

• Please reach me that book.
• She reached him a cup of water.
• He reached the plate to the guest beside him.

How to use it: reach someone something (Would you reach me the candle?); reach something to someone (He reached the bread to his neighbour.)

Similar words: pass, hand, hand over

Common phrases: reach someone something, reach me a cup, reach something across

The distance within which you can touch or take something by stretching out your arm or body.

• The shelf is beyond my reach.
• She left a glass of water within reach.
• The boxer used his longer reach to keep his opponent away.

How to use it: within someone's reach (Keep the phone within your reach.); out of someone's reach (Keep cleaning products out of children's reach.)

Common phrases: within reach, out of reach, beyond someone's reach, within arm's reach

A distance that allows you to get to a place easily.

• The beach is within easy reach.
• Our hotel is within reach of several good restaurants.
• They wanted a home within easy reach of the hospital.

How to use it: within (easy) reach of somewhere (The village is within easy reach of the airport.)

Common phrases: within easy reach, within reach of, within walking reach