winning

1 of 2

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 used in plural

winning

2 of 2

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

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

Grand Slam Smile has 12 wins, six seconds and three thirds for career winnings of $988,120. — Bill Center, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 Aug. 2026

The winning hit provided redemption for Lindor, who was thrown out at second trying to advance on a pitch in the dirt in the eighth. — ABC News, 15 Aug. 2026

Adjective

The Rebels won six of their remaining nine games in ’25 to finish 6-6, only the second non-winning season in Lowry’s tenure. — Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 16 Aug. 2026

If your entry isn't selected in the first week, don't worry—non-winning entries automatically roll over into the next drawing period. — Rachel Cortez, USA Today, 4 June 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