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
Her mother, Sara Spalding, attended Yale Law School and built a successful career for herself before ultimately deciding to stay home and raise her four kids.
—
Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 24 May 2026
Iliman Ndiaye, who is averaging more successful dribbles per 90 minutes than any other Everton player this season, will be a threat down the left wing and could expose the space behind the Spurs full-backs in the way many opponents have this season.
—Graham Ruthven, New York Times, 24 May 2026
The roster, published each week by Billboard, ranks the most successful tunes across all radio stations that focus on playing adult contemporary music, a subgenre of pop.
—Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 24 May 2026
The most successful gardeners combine strategies to create a difficult environment for birds.
—Gemma Johnstone, The Spruce, 24 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for successful
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Tereza Shkurtaj, PEOPLE, 24 May 2026
Iliman Ndiaye, who is averaging more successful dribbles per 90 minutes than any other Everton player this season, will be a threat down the left wing and could expose the space behind the Spurs full-backs in the way many opponents have this season.
—Graham Ruthven, New York Times, 24 May 2026
The roster, published each week by Billboard, ranks the most successful tunes across all radio stations that focus on playing adult contemporary music, a subgenre of pop.
—Hugh McIntyre, Forbes.com, 24 May 2026
The most successful gardeners combine strategies to create a difficult environment for birds.
—Gemma Johnstone, The Spruce, 24 May 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 26 May. 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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