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.
Smoke is ultimately successful in the mission, but he’s also been struck by a bullet. Angelique Jackson, Variety, 19 Apr. 2025 Elliott has historically focused on strategic activism in the technology sector and has been very successful with that strategy. Kenneth Squire, CNBC, 19 Apr. 2025 The Flow Control Cap costs the same as the Prismo, and both are equally successful at stopping the AeroPress from leaking before its time. Matthew Korfhage, Wired News, 19 Apr. 2025 When asked whether the boycott against Target or other retailers would only be considered successful if the retailer reinstates DEI initiatives, King said there are two ideals for any boycott. Betty Lin-Fisher, USA Today, 18 Apr. 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

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Cite this Entry

“Successful.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/successful. Accessed 22 Apr. 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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