successful
adjective
suc·cess·ful
sək-ˈses-fəl 
1
: resulting or terminating in success
a successful attempt
2
: gaining or having gained success
a successful investor
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
Russia will build two VVER-1200 reactors, Rosatom’s most successful export model, which also complies with the strictest international requirements, at the site.
—
Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 24 Mar. 2026
Residents in the Charlotte region, like Matthews and Mooresville have been successful in their opposition to squash data center plans, while others like Statesville have not.
—Charlotte Observer, 24 Mar. 2026
In their own realms, General Relativity and the Standard Model can each lay claim to be the most successful physics theory of all-time.
—Big Think, 24 Mar. 2026
Other sessions will broach themes such as the advancement of artificial technology, the ins and outs of marketing for film commissions, designing and delivering successful tax incentives and an overall look at how independent producers are working in 2026.
—Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 23 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for successful
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.
Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 24 Mar. 2026
Residents in the Charlotte region, like Matthews and Mooresville have been successful in their opposition to squash data center plans, while others like Statesville have not.
—Charlotte Observer, 24 Mar. 2026
In their own realms, General Relativity and the Standard Model can each lay claim to be the most successful physics theory of all-time.
—Big Think, 24 Mar. 2026
Other sessions will broach themes such as the advancement of artificial technology, the ins and outs of marketing for film commissions, designing and delivering successful tax incentives and an overall look at how independent producers are working in 2026.
—Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 23 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for successful
Cite this Entry
“Successful.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/successful. Accessed 27 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
successful
adjective
suc·cess·ful
sək-ˈses-fəl
1
: resulting or ending in success
2
: gaining or having gained success
successfulness
noun
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
