unsuccessful
Americanadjective
adjective
Other Word Forms
- unsuccessfully adverb
- unsuccessfulness noun
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.
The barge idea was hatched after their initial attempt to save the whale with inflatable cushions and pontoons was unsuccessful.
From Barron's • May 2, 2026
Attempts to reach him through his wife were unsuccessful.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 24, 2026
Cao ran an unsuccessful campaign for the US Senate in Virginia in 2024, endorsed by Trump, against incumbent Democratic Senator Tim Kaine.
From BBC • Apr. 22, 2026
“Normal” tries to do the same but is unsuccessful.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 17, 2026
A volunteer lawyer had challenged the intent questions in a desperate appeal but was unsuccessful.
From "Just Mercy" by Bryan Stevenson
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.
