successful

adjective

suc·​cess·​ful sək-ˈses-fəl How to pronounce successful (audio)
Synonyms of successfulnext
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.
Then there’s the school of thought that doing it right means having the highest percentage of successful challenges. Zack Meisel, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026 Glenn Guttman, a property tax attorney whose business runs on receiving a percentage of successful property tax appeal refunds, said industry colleagues considered taking the treasurer to court but ultimately decided against it. A.d. Quig, Chicago Tribune, 26 Apr. 2026 This was largely successful; estimates suggest that at least 80% of the original radioactive material remains inside the reactor. The Week Uk, TheWeek, 26 Apr. 2026 But more advanced exercisers, with familiarity of core stabilization, can be successful with implementing more complex movements right away. Matt Parrott, Arkansas Online, 26 Apr. 2026 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 27 Apr. 2026.

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

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