successful

adjective

suc·​cess·​ful sək-ˈses-fəl How to pronounce successful (audio)
Synonyms of successfulnext
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
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.
For now, the final images from Hong Kong show Blackpink’s four women at the peak of their commercial power, having just completed one of the most successful tours in K-pop history. Hannah Abraham, Forbes.com, 27 Jan. 2026 For Pérez, the motivation lies not only in executing a successful, personal comeback but building the team into one that can represent the whole of the Americas. Aleks Klosok, CNN Money, 26 Jan. 2026 The designer is one of the most successful Italian businessmen ever — The Armani Group is estimated to be worth in excess of $10BN. Andreas Wiseman, Deadline, 26 Jan. 2026 If Democrats are successful in striking down the Homeland Security spending package, some hinted at comprehensive immigration reforms to follow. Ana Ceballos, Los Angeles Times, 26 Jan. 2026 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Successful.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/successful. Accessed 28 Jan. 2026.

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
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!