success

[suhk-ses]

noun

1. the favorable or prosperous termination of attempts or endeavors; the accomplishment of one's goals.

2. the attainment of wealth, position, honors, or the like.

   Synonyms: triumph, accomplishment, achievement

3. a performance or achievement that is marked by success, as by the attainment of honors.

   The play was an instant success.

4. a person or thing that has had success, as measured by attainment of goals, wealth, etc..

   She was a great success on the talk show.

5. Obsolete.,  outcome.

success

/ səkˈsɛs /

noun

1. the favourable outcome of something attempted

2. the attainment of wealth, fame, etc

3. an action, performance, etc, that is characterized by success

4. a person or thing that is successful

5. obsolete,  any outcome

Other Word Forms

• successless adjective
• successlessly adverb
• successlessness noun
• nonsuccess noun
• presuccess noun
• semisuccess adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of success¹

First recorded in 1530–40; from Latin successus, equivalent to succēd-, stem of succēdere succeed + -tus suffix of verb action, with -dt- regularly becoming -ss-

Word History and Origins

Origin of success¹

C16: from Latin successus an outcome, from succēdere to _succeed

Example Sentences

Based on the recent data, there is a high probability of success for the late-stage trial, they said.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Cantor’s recent crypto success could prove transitory, given the recent swoon in cryptocurrencies and the industry’s history of booms and busts.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

If Intel waited for demand for its cutting-edge chips to materialize before building, it couldn’t capitalize on their success.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

The layoffs have challenged the notion that engineering jobs are a safe and sure path to success, perhaps in a way not since the first tech bust.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

After the film’s success, Disney built the “Zootopia”-themed land in Shanghai Disneyland, which opened in 2023 and is the only such land in any Disney park.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• accomplishment 
• achievement 
• advance 
• benefit 
• boom 
• fame 
• gain 
• happiness 
• profit 
• progress 
• prosperity 
• realization 
• triumph 
• victory 
• win