successful

adjective

suc·​cess·​ful sək-ˈses-fəl How to pronounce successful (audio)
Synonyms of successfulnext
1
: resulting or terminating in success
a successful attempt
2
: gaining or having gained success
a successful investor
successfully adverb
successfulness noun

Examples of successful in a Sentence

the play had a successful run on Broadway sold their successful dry-cleaning business and retired to Hawaii
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Just a few decades ago, in the early 1980s, there were only a few dozen successful summits of Everest. Cecilia Vega, CBS News, 22 Dec. 2025 While many companies have struggled to find early success, our AI journey over a number of years at Sam’s Club has proven to be more successful. Chris Nicholas, Fortune, 22 Dec. 2025 Like Bassett, Rochon, 61, believes that the film was successful due to the relationship between the four leading ladies. Dory Jackson, PEOPLE, 22 Dec. 2025 The big pickup — aided by two quality blocks downfield by tight end Tommy Tremble — set up the first successful field goal of the game for Carolina. Charlotte Observer, 22 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for successful

Word History

First Known Use

1594, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of successful was in 1594

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Successful.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/successful. Accessed 24 Dec. 2025.

Kids Definition

successful

adjective
suc·​cess·​ful sək-ˈses-fəl How to pronounce successful (audio)
1
: resulting or ending in success
2
: gaining or having gained success
successfully adverb
successfulness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on successful

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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