adjective
-
having succeeded in one's endeavours
-
marked by a favourable outcome
-
having obtained fame, wealth, etc
Usage
Spelling tips for successful The word successful is hard to spell because it can be hard to know which letters are doubled. Both the c and the middle s are doubled, but the f and l are not. How to spell successful: To be a success, you need to see (two Cs) Some Smarts (two Ss). This reminds you that success is spelled with a double C in the middle and a double S at the end. To spell successful, you add the base word (success) to the suffix -ful.
Other Word Forms
-
half-successfuladjective
-
half-successfullyadverb
-
half-successfulnessnoun
-
nonsuccessfuladjective
-
nonsuccessfullyadverb
-
presuccessfuladjective
-
presuccessfullyadverb
-
quasi-successfuladjective
-
quasi-successfullyadverb
-
semisuccessfuladjective
-
semisuccessfullyadverb
-
successfullyadverb
-
successfulnessnoun
Etymology
Origin of successful
Explanation
If you win or do well, at whatever it is you do, you are successful. Successful people usually get more money, attention, and praise. If you go into business and make a lot of money, you're successful. If you play tennis and finish the season with more wins than losses, you've been successful. If you have a successful pregnancy, you give birth to a healthy baby. Successful is one of those words that covers a great deal of ground; it generally applies to anything, anyone or any venture that ends well. When you see the word successful, think "Winning!"
Vocabulary lists containing successful
Power Suffix: -ful
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Talk Like Shakespeare Day, List 5
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
"A Raisin in the Sun," "My Father is a Simple Man," and "My Mother Pieced Quilts"
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
A successful campaign can break that cycle, he said.
From Los Angeles Times • May 17, 2026
Following Mozart’s successful debut at court, Salieri cozies up to him and pretends to aid his cause.
From Salon • May 16, 2026
The successful match between observations and simulations gives scientists greater confidence in their understanding of how gas is distributed around galaxies and how galaxies receive the material needed to continue forming stars.
From Science Daily • May 16, 2026
"That doesn't mean it's not going to be a successful summit," he added.
From BBC • May 15, 2026
When the triumphant flight crews returned, another pair headed out to try the new strategy that very same night, and were just as successful.
From "A Thousand Sisters" by Elizabeth Wein
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.
