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

successfully

sək-ˈses-fə-lē 

adverb

successfulness noun

Synonyms of successful

• prosperous
• thriving

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

Expand This is a script ideally suited to Red Orchid’s intimate and immersive space (tickets already are heavily sold) and Dado’s production is mostly successful and certainly as intense as the above description implies. — Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 13 Nov. 2026

If successful, the work could help future missions explore areas that are difficult for conventional rovers to reach, including deep valleys and underground environments. — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 13 Nov. 2026

Another successful extra point gave Lincoln a 38-0 advantage heading into halftime. — Shiloh Robinson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 Nov. 2026

Before doing extra work, ask what a successful result actually needs to include. — Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 12 Nov. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1594, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for successful

• distressful
• stressful
• unsuccessful

Kids Definition

successful

adjective

suc·​cess·​ful sək-ˈses-fəl 

1

: resulting or ending in success

2

: gaining or having gained success

successfully

-fə-lē 

adverb

successfulness noun