success

noun suc·cess \ sək-ˈses \

Updated on: 17 May 2018

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

Would following this path with Kizer have created a path to success for him?

— dan labbe, cleveland.com, "The DeShone Kizer experience shouldn't cloud vision for Baker Mayfield's future," 14 May 2018
This represented a huge success for applied scientists, getting the right answer to a very hard question and effectively communicating it to community leaders.

— sean w. fleming, WIRED, "Lessons from Montecito: Science's Credibility Is At Stake," 14 May 2018
Modern hindsight tends to view the Persian Gulf War as an undisputed and straightforward political success, the high-water mark of George H. W. Bush’s presidency.

— kate keller, Smithsonian, "An Unlikely Hardliner, George H. W. Bush Was Ready to Push Presidential Powers," 14 May 2018
One set that might have was a 7-6 (7-4) loss in the first round by Gabriel and Gerald Llanes, who had the most success for the Spartans doubles teams with 11 games won.

— grant gordon, latimes.com, "Doubles does in La Cañada tennis in 2nd round against No. 3 Mira Costa," 13 May 2018
Indonesia launched a fierce effort to crack down on terrorism after the 2002 attack, and achieved some measure of success, with notable exceptions.

— benjamin hart, Daily Intelligencer, "ISIS Claims Deadly Second Attack of the Weekend," 13 May 2018
The Zhengs have had more success outside of conference play, finishing second at the Naperville Central and Hinsdale Central invitationals.

— matt le cren, Naperville Sun, "Sister act: Joyce and Kathy Zheng double down on success for Naperville Central badminton," 11 May 2018
An altered game plan fueled the offense’s success in 2016, and a knee injury derailed it in 2017.

— chris perkins, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Dolphins' Adam Gase might finally get to unveil his passing offense this season," 10 May 2018
The goal: pinpoint subtypes of depression, then figure out which treatments have the best chance of success for each particular variant of the disease.

— megan thielking, STAT, "Can precision medicine do for depression what it’s done for cancer? It won’t be easy," 9 May 2018

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1537

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

success Synonyms

Phrases

a feather in one's cap;

SUCCESS Defined for English Language Learners

success

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

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