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.
The play, along with a successful extra-point kick from Harrison Butker, put the Chiefs up 21-7. Natasha Dye, PEOPLE, 28 Oct. 2025 Among them is Tracee Ellis Ross, the award-winning actor and founder of her own successful beauty line, Pattern. Tracee Ellis Ross, Glamour, 27 Oct. 2025 This combination of culinary innovation and consumer understanding is what helps Taylor Farms stay successful in a competitive fresh food industry. William Jones, Freep.com, 27 Oct. 2025 Keep reading for simple ways to score a successful Halloween haul. Cody Godwin, USA Today, 27 Oct. 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Successful.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/successful. Accessed 29 Oct. 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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