successful
adjective
suc·cess·ful
sək-ˈses-fəl 
1
: resulting or terminating in success
a successful attempt
2
: gaining or having gained success
a successful investor
successfulness
noun
Examples of successful in a Sentence
the play had a successful run on Broadway
sold their successful dry-cleaning business and retired to Hawaii
Recent Examples on the Web
The most successful and lucrative family vlogs are indiscreet almost by definition—and yet the wrong kind of indiscretion can derail the whole gravy train.
—
Jessica Winter, New Yorker, 7 Apr. 2026
Crossing Thousands of Miles of Open Ocean Hawaiian leaf-roller moths are among the most successful long-distance colonizers of any native Hawaiian animals, according to the research.
—Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 6 Apr. 2026
April 1st’s successful launch set up a rendezvous with the Moon.
—Big Think, 6 Apr. 2026
Assuming the campaign is successful, shipping is expected to start in July.
—Maryna Holovnova, New Atlas, 6 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for successful
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Jessica Winter, New Yorker, 7 Apr. 2026
Crossing Thousands of Miles of Open Ocean Hawaiian leaf-roller moths are among the most successful long-distance colonizers of any native Hawaiian animals, according to the research.
—Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 6 Apr. 2026
April 1st’s successful launch set up a rendezvous with the Moon.
—Big Think, 6 Apr. 2026
Assuming the campaign is successful, shipping is expected to start in July.
—Maryna Holovnova, New Atlas, 6 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for successful
Cite this Entry
“Successful.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/successful. Accessed 8 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
successful
adjective
suc·cess·ful
sək-ˈses-fəl
1
: resulting or ending in success
2
: gaining or having gained success
successfulness
noun
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