winning

1 of 3

noun

win·​ning ˈwi-niŋ 

1

: the act of one that wins : victory

2

: something won: such as

a

: a captured territory : conquest

b

: money won by success in a game or competition

—usually plural

winning

2 of 3

adjective

1

a

: of or relating to winning : that wins

the winning ticket

b

: successful especially in competition

a winning team

2

: tending to please or delight

a winning personality

winningly

ˈwi-niŋ-lē 

adverb

winning

3 of 3

present participle of win entry 1

Synonyms of winning

Adjective

• adorable
• dear
• sweet
• loved
• beautiful
• precious

Examples of winning in a Sentence

Adjective

She scored the winning goal.

They were a winning marketing team.

Chocolate and mint is a winning combination.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The law, originally passed in 1995, allows the state to calculate the daily cost of incarceration then take that money from current or former inmates who receive inheritances, lottery winnings or certain lawsuit settlements. — Ginny Monk, Hartford Courant, 2 Oct. 2026

It wasn’t supposed to be this way for the Royals, who were coming off consecutive winning seasons. — Blair Kerkhoff, Kansas City Star, 29 Sep. 2026

Adjective

Add Preferred Source These Astros are the first MLB team to reach the postseason with a non-winning record in a full-length season. — Matt Kawahara, Houston Chronicle, 27 Sep. 2026

Cincinnati is assured of a non-winning season after its 81st loss. — ABC News, 15 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing winning

• losing/winning record
• winning combination
• winning/losing streak
• winning post

Rhymes for winning

• binning
• dinning
• ginning
• grinning
• inning
• pinning
• sinning
• skinning
• spinning
• thinning
• tinning
• twinning

Kids Definition

winning

1 of 2 noun

win·​ning

ˈwin-iŋ

1

: the act of one that wins : victory

2

: something won

especially : money won in a game or contest

—usually used in plural

winning

2 of 2 adjective

1

a

: of, relating to, or used for or in the act of winning

the winning ticket

b

: successful especially in competition

a winning team

2

: tending to please or delight

a winning personality

winningly adverb