Definition of success
2a : degree or measure of succeedingb : favorable or desired outcome; also : the attainment of wealth, favor, or eminence
3 : one that succeeds
From the M-W Editors
Examples of success in a Sentence
An enormous popular and critical success, The Liars' Club was credited with (or blamed for) launching a new wave of memoir-writing. (Karr deflects this accusation: “I think memoir started with St. Augustine,” she told Salon in 1997.) —Mollie Wilson O'Reilly, Commonweal, 23 Oct. 2009
Fred tries to keep up his end of the conversation, but without much success; he has never grown bulbs, cooked veal, seen a film by Fassbinder, etc. He feels provincial and out of it … —Alison Lurie,Foreign Affairs, 2006
Since I was interested in finding out about the successes as well as the failures disabled women experience in the world, I interviewed women who had some work experience, although it was often part-time work and sometimes interrupted. —Mary Grimley Mason, Working Against Odds, 2004
The necessaries of life for man in this climate may, accurately enough, be distributed under the several heads of Food, Shelter, Clothing, and Fuel; for not till we have secured these are we prepared to entertain the true problems of life with freedom and a prospect of success. —Henry David Thoreau, Walden, 1854
Success came easily to him.
She is country music's most recent success.
The growth of the tourism industry is one of the city's great successes.
Recent Examples of success from the Web
-
The Pentagon this week claimed success in intercepting a mock intercontinental ballistic missile.
-
Despite negative reviews (including one from The Atlantic’s own Christopher Orr), Pirates’ success is basically assured due to the franchise’s huge popularity overseas—
-
So in one sense, universities were a victim of their own success.
-
Not their individual greatness or postseason success, even for one of the NHL’s marquee franchises.
-
Persistence in weeding out the grass is the key to success.
-
Iraqi officials predicted success within a few months, but Islamic State fighters have managed to hold onto important parts of the city’s west side, including its historic center.
-
Alabama has great interest in the same territory and has already had success there.
-
The success of the film is thanks—in large part—to its writer and director Noah Baumbach, whose The Squid and the Whale earned an Oscar nomination for Best Original Screenplay.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'success'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of success
Latin successus, from succedere —see succeed
First Known Use: 1537
SUCCESS Defined for English Language Learners
success
playDefinition of success for English Language Learners
-
: the fact of getting or achieving wealth, respect, or fame
-
: the correct or desired result of an attempt
-
: someone or something that is successful : a person or thing that succeeds
SUCCESS Defined for Kids
success
playDefinition of success for Students
1 : satisfactory completion of something But you must, when you are calculating the odds of the mouse's success, factor in his love for the princess. — Kate DiCamillo, The Tale of Despereaux
2 : the gaining of wealth, respect, or fame
3 : a person or thing that succeeds The show was a success.
Headscratcher for success
The dictionary is the only place where success comes before work. How does that happen? Alphabetical order!
Learn More about success
-
See words that rhyme with success Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for success Spanish Central: Translation of success Nglish: Translation of success for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of success for Arabic speakers
Seen and Heard
What made you want to look up success? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).
Writing? Check your grammar now!