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.
Unsuccessful attempts were made to move the valve before it was decided to undertake emergency cardiac surgery, including the complete removal of the TAVI.
From BBC • Jul. 22, 2025
Unsuccessful IVF cycles usually prompt more investigation that can lead to uncovering conditions beneath the surface such as endometriosis — where tissue similar to the uterine lining grows outside the uterus — and scar tissue.
From Washington Post • Nov. 12, 2021
Unsuccessful attempts to lure top free-agent pitchers Gerrit Cole, Hyun-Jin Ryu, Dallas Keuchel and Zack Wheeler to Anaheim forced the Angels to turn to right-handers Dylan Bundy and Julio Teherán.
From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 10, 2020
Unsuccessful orca pregnancies and dead infant orcas are sadnesses all too familiar to people who watched Tahlequah, or J35, carry her dead calf for more than 1,000 miles and 17 days last July.
From Seattle Times • Sep. 25, 2018
Unsuccessful attempts to grow the yellow fever parasite.
From Insects and Diseases A Popular Account of the Way in Which Insects may Spread or Cause some of our Common Diseases by Doane, Rennie Wilbur
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.
