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
In today’s knowledge economy and tomorrow's AI reality, the most successful individuals, organizations, and nations won’t be those that work the most hours, but those who are most effective at making their working hours count.
—
Joe O’Connor, Time, 13 Jan. 2026
If this is successful, the company would then aim to lift GEO satellites to space, with the goal of beaming energy to Earth by 2030.
—Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 13 Jan. 2026
Abraxas teacher Bob Lutticken will present information about the school’s successful integration of fish and crop production at the campus garden.
—Julie Gallant, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Jan. 2026
The Dilbert principle — traced back to a quote in a 1995 strip — posited that managers and higher-ups are actually successful morons whose stubbornness is confused for real leadership qualities.
—Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 13 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for successful
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Joe O’Connor, Time, 13 Jan. 2026
If this is successful, the company would then aim to lift GEO satellites to space, with the goal of beaming energy to Earth by 2030.
—Chris Young, Interesting Engineering, 13 Jan. 2026
Abraxas teacher Bob Lutticken will present information about the school’s successful integration of fish and crop production at the campus garden.
—Julie Gallant, San Diego Union-Tribune, 13 Jan. 2026
The Dilbert principle — traced back to a quote in a 1995 strip — posited that managers and higher-ups are actually successful morons whose stubbornness is confused for real leadership qualities.
—Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 13 Jan. 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 14 Jan. 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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