successful

adjective

suc·​cess·​ful sək-ˈses-fəl How to pronounce successful (audio)
Synonyms of successful
1
: resulting or terminating in success
a successful attempt
2
: gaining or having gained success
a successful investor
successfully
sək-ˈses-fə-lē How to pronounce successful (audio)
adverb
successfulness noun

Synonyms of successful

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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.
His departure also comes after a successful year outside of football. — Ira Gorawara, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2026 Those are company claims, and the successful production announced here does not by itself establish that the process can achieve those economics or operate at commercial scale. — Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 1 Sep. 2026 The successful season also highlights the importance of creating more predator-free habitats for the species. — Adela Suliman, NBC news, 1 Sep. 2026 Outzac is an outdoor gear company from Hong Kong that has a successful history of launching mini pumps on Kickstarter. — Maryna Holovnova, New Atlas, 1 Sep. 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

Rhymes for successful

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Browse Nearby Words

success
successful
succession
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Cite this Entry

“Successful.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/successful. Accessed 3 Sep. 2026.

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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
-fə-lē How to pronounce successful (audio)
adverb
successfulness noun
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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