succès d'estime

American  

[syk-se des-teem] / sük sɛ dɛsˈtim /

noun

French.

1. success won by reason of merit and critical respect rather than by popularity.

---

succès d'estime British  

/ syksɛ dɛstim /

noun

1. success, as of a book, play, etc, based on the appreciation of the critics rather than popular acclaim

---

Etymology

Origin of succès d'estime

literally: success of esteem

Example Sentences

The production, which launched at New York City Center before transferring to Broadway, proved that a succès d’estime could also be an emotionally stirring hit.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 20, 2025

But that didn’t make it a succès d’estime.

From New York Times • May 6, 2024

The show became the succès d’estime and de scandale of the London season, and in 1965 moved from the West End to Broadway.

From New York Times • Feb. 20, 2018

Sondheim's customary routine is the succès d'estime — prestige over box office.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 21, 2014

The tale of the conquest of England was ill suited to his delicate muse, and the opera achieved little more than a succès d'estime.

From The Opera A Sketch of the Development of Opera. With full Descriptions of all Works in the Modern Repertory. by Fuller-Maitland, J. A.