unsuccessful
Americanadjective
adjective
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of unsuccessful
First recorded in 1610–20; un- 1 + successful
Explanation
When something is unsuccessful, it means it didn’t quite work out as planned, like trying to bake a towering, multilayered cake and ending up with a pancake instead. The word unsuccessful comes from the Latin roots un- meaning "not" and successus, meaning "a good outcome." It describes an attempt that doesn’t achieve its intended result. For example, an unsuccessful attempt at gardening will result in wilted plants rather than beautiful blooms. Although being unsuccessful can be frustrating, it’s also a valuable part of learning and growing. Many great inventors and artists faced unsuccessful attempts before finally succeeding.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The outreach team and Valley Oasis tried several times to contact the couple but were unsuccessful.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 28, 2026
The trial heard their friendship soured after an unsuccessful attempt by Dennis to sell a fake Rolex given to him by Oladipo.
From BBC ● Aug. 25, 2026
Bonavia said Jerome had shown a lack of remorse and empathy, had had a recent diagnosis of autism and had sought psychological support to stop him seeking "obsessive and unsuccessful relationships".
From BBC ● Aug. 25, 2026
Harry waged a years-long, ultimately unsuccessful legal battle with the government to reinstate his publicly funded security.
From Barron's ● Aug. 23, 2026
His parents were shiftless and unsuccessful farm people--his imagination had never really accepted them as his parents at all.
From " The Great Gatsby" by F. Scott Fitzgerald
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
