successful

adjective

suc·​cess·​ful sək-ˈses-fəl How to pronounce successful (audio)
1
: resulting or terminating in success
a successful attempt
2
: gaining or having gained success
a successful investor
successfully adverb
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
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If successful, this would be the first unionized Whole Foods Market store in the company. Errol Schweizer, Forbes, 2 Dec. 2024 Photography is a highly technical art; a successful shoot requires the right alchemy of light, location, and weather, not to mention skill in framing, editing, and nurturing trust with your subjects. Erin Sagen, The Atlantic, 2 Dec. 2024 Advertisement The filmmakers hang close by throughout the effort, which after a successful 2022 vote led to the Amazon Labor Union becoming the first independent Amazon union in the country. Steve Dollar, Los Angeles Times, 2 Dec. 2024 The Oscar winner was being honored at the festival on the second day of the event for his successful career as an actor and director. Clare Fisher, People.com, 2 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for successful 

Word History

First Known Use

1594, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of successful was in 1594

Dictionary Entries Near successful

Cite this Entry

“Successful.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/successful. Accessed 7 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

successful

adjective
suc·​cess·​ful sək-ˈses-fəl How to pronounce successful (audio)
1
: resulting or ending in success
2
: gaining or having gained success
successfully adverb
successfulness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on successful

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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