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
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.
Prism expands Brown’s long and successful collaboration with Netflix that began with her starring role as Eleven in the smash hit Stranger Things, due to conclude its run with a fifth season to be released in three parts in November and December. Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 13 Oct. 2025 The successful candidate will also have to face the public court of approval. Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune, 13 Oct. 2025 Still, Keaton had to abide by certain Hollywood beauty standards in order to have a successful five-decade film career. Martha Ross, Mercury News, 13 Oct. 2025 The festival’s industry counterpart, RioMarket, also experienced a successful edition. Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 13 Oct. 2025 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

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Cite this Entry

“Successful.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/successful. Accessed 15 Oct. 2025.

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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