Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Showing results for successful. Search instead for successful playing.
Synonyms

successful

American  
[suhk-ses-fuhl] / səkˈsɛs fəl /

adjective

  1. achieving or having achieved success.

  2. having attained wealth, position, honors, or the like.

  3. resulting in or attended with success.


successful British  
/ səkˈsɛsfʊl /

adjective

  1. having succeeded in one's endeavours

  2. marked by a favourable outcome

  3. having obtained fame, wealth, etc

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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-successful adjective
  • half-successfully adverb
  • half-successfulness noun
  • nonsuccessful adjective
  • nonsuccessfully adverb
  • presuccessful adjective
  • presuccessfully adverb
  • quasi-successful adjective
  • quasi-successfully adverb
  • semisuccessful adjective
  • semisuccessfully adverb
  • successfully adverb
  • successfulness noun

Etymology

Origin of successful

First recorded in 1580–90; success + -ful

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 also enjoyed a successful spell at Wolves prior to moving to Anfield.

From BBC

Binderbauer says that TAE uses a different process than the California lab, but one that can provide more consistent power once it is successful.

From Barron's

Binderbauer says that TAE uses a different process than the California lab, but one that can provide more consistent power once it is successful.

From Barron's

At the time he owned and operated a successful automotive electrical company that gave him financial freedom to try his hand at the live music business.

From Los Angeles Times

I’m committed to setting D.C. up for success with self-driving vehicles as one part of a safe and successful transportation network.

From The Wall Street Journal