success

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noun suc·cess \ sək-ˈses \

Definition of success

1 obsolete :outcome, result

2 a :degree or measure of succeeding

b :favorable or desired outcome; also :the attainment of wealth, favor, or eminence

3 :one that succeeds

See success defined for English-language learners

See success defined for kids

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

That said, realizing what not to change and having the courage to stay the course is often more important to long term success.

— miamiherald, "The future’s not ours to see, but this is how CEOs prepare for it," 30 Aug. 2017
Volunteers, donations, and sponsors are still needed to help make the carnival a success.

— sheila vilvens, Cincinnati.com, "End of summer festivals, reopening of Wolfpen-Pleasant Hill Road," 30 Aug. 2017
Allow team success in the classroom and on the field to help secure the futures of the athletes in the program.

— randy mcroberts, The Aegis, "2017 high school football preview," 30 Aug. 2017
Reigning Heisman Trophy winner Lamar Jackson will look to lead the Cardinals to new heights after U of L got a taste of success and the spotlight last season.

— The Courier-Journal, "Get pumped for the season! Check out Louisville football's hype video," 29 Aug. 2017
Back then nothing signaled success like braying into a first-generation Motorola while sipping some cloudy, rare sake.

— patric kuh, Los Angeles Magazine, "How L.A.’s Most Influential Sushi Chef Redefined Japanese Food," 25 Aug. 2017
With CIF Southern Section realignment, success in the playoffs usually means a bump up in divisions the following season.

— jeff tully, Burbank Leader, "Girls’ Volleyball Preview: Providence hoping for continued success," 24 Aug. 2017
Basking in the success of the brand responding to what people want, fans then asked for the next dream collab: an Aaliyah x MAC collection in honor of the legendary late singer.

— rachel nussbaum, Glamour, "An Aaliyah MAC Collection Is Happening By Popular Demand," 24 Aug. 2017
Trump declined to specify the number of troops the U.S. would have in Afghanistan or detail what criteria would be used to determine success.

— toluse olorunnipa, Bloomberg.com, "Trump Offers Open-Ended Commitment to Shore Up Afghanistan," 22 Aug. 2017

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

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First Known Use: 1537

See Words from the same year

success Synonyms

Synonyms

blockbuster, megahit, smash, hit, supernova, winner

Antonyms

bomb, bummer, bust, catastrophe, clinker, debacle (also débâcle), dud, failure, fiasco, flop, misfire, turkey, washout

Related Words

blue chip, blue chipper, corker, crackerjack (also crackajack), dandy, jim-dandy, pip, prizewinner; gem, jewel, treasure; marvel, natural, phenomenon, sensation, wonder; coup, triumph, victory

Near Antonyms

disappointment, fizzle, lemon, loser

SUCCESS Defined for English Language Learners

success

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noun

Definition 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

play

noun suc·cess \ sək-ˈses \

Definition 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