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.
If successful, PolyU’s 40% efficiency goal could push perovskite/silicon tandem solar cells from research labs to rooftops and industrial grids, marking a decisive step toward a cleaner energy future. Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 11 Nov. 2025 In Summer Skate, Carter and Jessica talk about the importance of delusion, to be successful at sports, writing, anything. Literary Hub, 10 Nov. 2025 Their decisions to relent on their health policy demands came after Democrats had a wildly successful off-year election last week that injected hope into the party ahead of the 2026 midterm races. Joey Garrison, USA Today, 10 Nov. 2025 Following the public unveiling of the Velaro high-speed train and the successful test run of the Desiro HC regional train, attention will now shift to a broader rollout. Amanda Greenwood, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 Nov. 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Successful.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/successful. Accessed 14 Nov. 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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