winning

American  

[win-ing] / ˈwɪn ɪŋ /

noun

1. the act of a person or thing that wins.

   Antonyms:

   losing

2. Usually winnings something that is won, especially money.

3. Mining.

   1. any opening by which coal is being or has been extracted.

   2. a bed of coal ready for mining.

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adjective

1. that wins; successful or victorious, as in a contest.

   the winning team.

   Antonyms:

   losing

2. charming; engaging; pleasing.

   a winning child; a winning smile.

   Synonyms:

   winsome, attractive

   Antonyms:

   repulsive

winning British  

/ ˈwɪnɪŋ /

adjective

1. (of a person, character, etc) charming, engaging, or attractive

   winning ways

   a winning smile

2. gaining victory

   the winning stroke

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noun

1. 1. a shaft or seam of coal

   2. the extraction of coal or ore from the ground

2. (plural) money, prizes, or valuables won, esp in gambling

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• winningly
  adverb
• unwinning
  adjective
• winningness
  noun

Etymology

Origin of winning

1250–1300; Middle English (noun); see win ¹, -ing ¹, -ing ²

Example Sentences

Winning the Derby changes anyone’s life, but it’s magnified when you make history, as DeVaux did by becoming the first female trainer to win the world’s most famous horse race.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 5, 2026

Winning the general election would make the 68-year-old Becerra the first elected Latino governor of California.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 3, 2026

"Winning the WSL was big for the club but it was one thing being able to win the title, and then just a couple of weeks later to win another title," said Jeglertz.

From BBC • May 31, 2026

“You don’t do one thing,” says William Bernstein, a money manager and author of The Four Pillars of Investing: Lessons for Building a Winning Portfolio.

From Barron's • May 30, 2026

Winning would not only mean that Sir Fig Newton would be taken care of for life, but Dad could stop the job hunt and Mom could quit her job.

From "Sir Fig Newton and the Science of Persistence" by Sonja Thomas

Related Words

• leading
• successful
• victorious