success
Americannoun
-
the favorable or prosperous termination of attempts or endeavors; the accomplishment of one's goals.
-
the attainment of wealth, position, honors, or the like.
- Synonyms:
- triumph, accomplishment, achievement
-
a performance or achievement that is marked by success, as by the attainment of honors.
The play was an instant success.
-
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.
-
Obsolete. outcome.
noun
-
the favourable outcome of something attempted
-
the attainment of wealth, fame, etc
-
an action, performance, etc, that is characterized by success
-
a person or thing that is successful
-
obsolete any outcome
Other Word Forms
- nonsuccess noun
- presuccess noun
- semisuccess adjective
- successless adjective
- successlessly adverb
- successlessness noun
Etymology
Origin of success
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-
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.
“He gave me his whole portfolio, which is a huge success in my business,” she adds, before reflecting on the values she brings to her business.
From MarketWatch • Apr. 3, 2026
England, to some success, have often looked beyond county form when selecting players.
From BBC • Apr. 2, 2026
Following the single’s success, Rodrigo released “Sour” in May 2021.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 2, 2026
Hollywood is hoping that Comcast-owned Universal Pictures’ The Super Mario Galaxy Movie opening today can replicate the box office success of the 2023 Super Mario movie.
From Barron's • Apr. 1, 2026
In a boom town like Rochester, they watched as men of their class turned into financial and social success stories.
From "American Spirits" by Barb Rosenstock
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.
