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
The 22-year-old left-back again made his case for being considered the most successful of last summer’s signings, with another solid display in defence, too.
—
Mario Cortegana, New York Times, 9 Feb. 2026
His response fueled her drive to be a successful leader.
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 9 Feb. 2026
If successful, the technology could offer a practical and scalable route to green hydrogen using abundant water and sunlight.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 9 Feb. 2026
Along with versions of This Country and Miranda, Ghosts emerged from a successful BBC Studios partnership with Lionsgate, which elapsed two years back.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 9 Feb. 2026
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Mario Cortegana, New York Times, 9 Feb. 2026
His response fueled her drive to be a successful leader.
—Emma Burleigh, Fortune, 9 Feb. 2026
If successful, the technology could offer a practical and scalable route to green hydrogen using abundant water and sunlight.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 9 Feb. 2026
Along with versions of This Country and Miranda, Ghosts emerged from a successful BBC Studios partnership with Lionsgate, which elapsed two years back.
—Max Goldbart, Deadline, 9 Feb. 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 14 Feb. 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
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