successful

adjective

suc·​cess·​ful sək-ˈses-fəl How to pronounce successful (audio)
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.
Neil Diamond has been one of the most recognizable names in music for decades, thanks to a string of chart-topping singles and hugely successful albums. Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 5 Aug. 2025 The show, which focused on the singer's family life with Sharon, Kelly, and Jack, was among MTV's most successful shows during its four-season run from 2002 to 2005. Mekishana Pierre, EW.com, 5 Aug. 2025 Advertisement Advertisement Subsequent features haven’t been nearly as successful. Judy Berman, Time, 5 Aug. 2025 Editor's note: This story was updated at 12:23 a.m. ET on Aug. 5 with news of successful liftoff, then again at 1:30 a.m. ET with news of successful satellite deploy. Mike Wall, Space.com, 5 Aug. 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 20 Aug. 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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