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
Synonyms
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
Pop stars, especially those with incredibly successful careers, are often accused of being calculating.
—
Rachel Brodsky, TIME, 15 Apr. 2024
And around two-thirds of survey respondents with successful transformations ensured that people deployed to these initiatives were either reassigned completely, or relieved of at least half of their other tasks.
—Paige McGlauflin, Fortune, 15 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for successful 
Rachel Brodsky, TIME, 15 Apr. 2024
And around two-thirds of survey respondents with successful transformations ensured that people deployed to these initiatives were either reassigned completely, or relieved of at least half of their other tasks.
—Paige McGlauflin, Fortune, 15 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for successful
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'successful.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1594, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Dictionary Entries Near successful
Cite this Entry
“Successful.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/successful. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
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Kids Definition
successful
adjective
suc·cess·ful
sək-ˈses-fəl
1
: resulting or ending in success
2
: gaining or having gained success
successfulness
noun
More from Merriam-Webster on successful
Nglish: Translation of successful for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of successful for Arabic Speakers
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