Success — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun /sək-ˈses/ suc·cess

Meaning & Definition of Success

Success (noun)

  1. degree or measure of succeeding
  2. favorable or desired outcome
  3. the attainment of wealth, favor, or eminence

Success (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. a successful result brought about by hard work

    "a long list of successes that the retiring president of the college can point to with pride"

    similar: accomplishment, achievement, acquirement, attainment, baby, coup, triumph, a feather in one's cap
    related: blockbuster, hit, jackpot, megahit, miracle, smash, winner, conquest, gain, victory, win, skill, deed, feat, performance, arrival, completion, consummation, culmination, execution, fruition, fulfillment, implementation, realization
    opposite: nonachievement
    near: botch, cock-up (British), mess, muddle, shambles, bummer, bust, catastrophe, debacle, disaster, dud, failure, fiasco, fizzle, flop, washout, disappointment, letdown, loss, setback

  2. a person or thing that is successful

    "their homemade jellies have been such a success that they are now distributed nationwide"

    similar: blockbuster, hit, megahit, smash, supernova, winner
    related: blue chip, blue chipper, corker, crackerjack, dandy, jim-dandy, pip, prizewinner, gem, jewel, treasure, marvel, natural, phenomenon, sensation, wonder, coup, triumph, victory
    opposite: bomb, bummer, bust, catastrophe, clinker, debacle, dud, failure, fiasco, flop, misfire, turkey, washout
    near: disappointment, fizzle, lemon, loser

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Success

The most common words with a similar meaning to Success:

accomplishment, achievement, acquirement, attainment, baby, coup, triumph, blockbuster, hit, megahit, smash, supernova, winner, a feather in one's cap

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Success

Words with the opposite meaning of Success:

nonachievement, bomb, bummer, bust, catastrophe, clinker, debacle, dud, failure, fiasco, flop, misfire, turkey, washout

Related Words for Success

jackpot, miracle, conquest, gain, victory, win, skill, deed, feat, performance, arrival, completion, consummation, culmination, execution, fruition, fulfillment, implementation, realization, blue chip, blue chipper, corker, crackerjack, dandy, jim-dandy, pip, prizewinner, gem, jewel, treasure

Near Antonyms of Success

botch, cock-up, mess, muddle, shambles, disaster, fizzle, disappointment, letdown, loss, setback, lemon, loser

Origin & Etymology of Success

Latin successus, from succedere see succeed

First known use: 1537

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Success

Words & Phrases Containing Success

success story, culture of success, have any/much success, meet with little success, nothing succeeds like success, on the altar of success, roaring success, secret to someone's success, without success

Frequently Asked Questions about Success

What does "Success" mean?

"Success" means degree or measure of succeeding. As a noun, it is defined as: degree or measure of succeeding. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Success"?

Other words for "Success" include accomplishment, achievement, acquirement, attainment, baby, coup, triumph and blockbuster. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Success" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Success"?

There are 49 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Success". Common alternatives include accomplishment, achievement, acquirement, attainment, baby, coup, triumph, blockbuster, hit and megahit.

What is the opposite of "Success"?

Antonyms of "Success" include nonachievement, bomb, bummer, bust, catastrophe, clinker, debacle and dud. Near antonyms include botch, cock-up, mess and muddle.

How do you use "Success" in a sentence?

Examples of "Success" in a sentence: "a long list of successes that the retiring president of the college can point to with pride"; "their homemade jellies have been such a success that they are now distributed nationwide".

Is "Success" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Success" is a noun.

Is "Success" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As an A2-level word, "Success" is typical of Cambridge A2 Key (KET), PTE Academic 30–42, TOEIC Listening & Reading 225+.

How do you pronounce "Success"?

"Success" is pronounced /sək-ˈses/ and divided into syllables as suc·cess.