unsuccessful
Americanadjective
adjective
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of unsuccessful
First recorded in 1610–20; un- 1 + successful
Explanation
When something is unsuccessful, it means it didn’t quite work out as planned, like trying to bake a towering, multilayered cake and ending up with a pancake instead. The word unsuccessful comes from the Latin roots un- meaning "not" and successus, meaning "a good outcome." It describes an attempt that doesn’t achieve its intended result. For example, an unsuccessful attempt at gardening will result in wilted plants rather than beautiful blooms. Although being unsuccessful can be frustrating, it’s also a valuable part of learning and growing. Many great inventors and artists faced unsuccessful attempts before finally succeeding.
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.
But after the investigation was dropped, repeated requests for that footage proved unsuccessful, and officials ultimately certified that it could not be located.
From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 7, 2026
Roberts’ appetite for more programming led to a hostile bid for most of 21st Century Fox’s entertainment assets in 2018, kicking off an unsuccessful bidding war with Disney.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jul. 2, 2026
Her attorney did not speak with the news outlet, and attempts to contact the defendant Thursday by The Times were unsuccessful.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 25, 2026
That bid was unsuccessful and although Manchester City and Arsenal have yet to come to the table, Newcastle will be in a strong position to command a bigger fee if several teams make offers.
From BBC • Jun. 24, 2026
It was, as everyone had warned us it would be, unpleasant and unsuccessful.
From "The Girl on the Train" by Paula Hawkins
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.
