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Synonyms

winning

American  
[win-ing] / ˈwɪn ɪŋ /

noun

  1. the act of a person or thing that wins.

    Antonyms:
    losing

  2. Usually winnings something that is won, especially money.

  3. Mining.

    1. any opening by which coal is being or has been extracted.

    2. a bed of coal ready for mining.

adjective

  1. that wins; successful or victorious, as in a contest.

    the winning team.
    Antonyms:
    losing

  2. charming; engaging; pleasing.

    a winning child; a winning smile.
    Synonyms:
    winsome, attractive
    Antonyms:
    repulsive
winning British  
/ ˈwɪnɪŋ /

adjective

  1. (of a person, character, etc) charming, engaging, or attractive

    winning ways

    a winning smile

  2. gaining victory

    the winning stroke
"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

noun

    1. a shaft or seam of coal

    2. the extraction of coal or ore from the ground

  2. (plural) money, prizes, or valuables won, esp in gambling

"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

Other Word Forms

  • unwinning adjective
  • winningly adverb
  • winningness noun

Etymology

Origin of winning

1250–1300; Middle English (noun); win 1, -ing 1, -ing 2

Vocabulary lists containing winning

Spelling Practice 1, Unit 6

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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.

Montreal made the Stanley Cup Final in each of Vachon’s first three seasons, winning twice.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 12, 2026

We only talk about the NBA now, coincidentally now that my San Antonio Spurs have a winning season.

From Slate • Apr. 12, 2026

Dubois suffered a brutal fifth-round stoppage loss to Usyk in his last fight, and will look to return to winning ways against his British rival.

From BBC • Apr. 12, 2026

As a player he led the team to its first winning record, then returned to become the general manager who traded for Gretzky and drafted Hall of Famers Luc Robitaille and Rob Blake.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 12, 2026

She does not look happy, and she usually loves winning.

From "Kwame Crashes the Underworld" by Craig Kofi Farmer

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.