success

[ suhk-ses ]

noun

1. the favorable or prosperous termination of attempts or endeavors; the accomplishment of one's goals.
2. the attainment of wealth, position, honors, or the like.

   Synonyms: triumph, accomplishment, achievement

3. a performance or achievement that is marked by success, as by the attainment of honors:

   The play was an instant success.

4. a person or thing that has had success, as measured by attainment of goals, wealth, etc.:

   She was a great success on the talk show.

5. Obsolete. outcome.

success

/ səkˈsɛs /

noun

1. the favourable outcome of something attempted
2. the attainment of wealth, fame, etc
3. an action, performance, etc, that is characterized by success
4. a person or thing that is successful
5. obsolete.
   any outcome

Derived Forms

• sucˈcessless, adjective

Other Words From

• suc·cessless adjective
• suc·cessless·ly adverb
• suc·cessless·ness noun
• nonsuc·cess noun
• presuc·cess noun
• semi·suc·cess adjective noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of success¹

First recorded in 1530–40; from Latin successus, equivalent to succēd-, stem of succēdere succeed + -tus suffix of verb action, with -dt- regularly becoming -ss-

Word History and Origins

Origin of success¹

C16: from Latin successus an outcome, from succēdere to succeed

Example Sentences

U2’s stay at Sphere was a critical and commercial success, blanketing social media with eye-popping video clips and raking in nearly $250 million, according to the trade journal Pollstar — and at a moment when the show’s stiff competition included Taylor Swift’s Eras tour and Beyoncé’s Renaissance tour.

From Los Angeles Times

That morning in Mill Valley in 2002 was the moment of Zuckerman’s success.

From Salon

Toobin said live, on CNN, that the pair would have limited success because “there is a very boring and very important law called the Administrative Procedures Act, which governs how the government moves along in terms of changing how it works.”

From Salon

As the Democrats try to climb over a continually lower bar with no success, the rest of us should remember that.

From Salon

Coach tickets are more environmentally friendly and, according to some, increase your chances of success, depending on how remote your starting point is.

From BBC

Related Words

• accomplishment
• achievement
• advance
• benefit
• boom
• fame
• gain
• happiness
• profit
• progress
• prosperity
• realization
• triumph
• victory
• win