Successful — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective /sək-ˈses-fəl/ suc·cess·ful

Meaning & Definition of Successful

Successful (adjective)

  1. resulting or terminating in success
  2. gaining or having gained success

Successful (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. having attained a desired end or state of good fortune

    "the play had a successful run on Broadway"

    similar: flourishing, going, palmy, prosperous, thriving, triumphant, in clover
    related: coming, promising, booming, growing, roaring, robust, boffo, gangbusters, runaway, socko
    opposite: failed, unsuccessful
    near: futureless, hopeless, inauspicious, no-good, unpromising, collapsing, failing, flopping, flunking, folding, washing-out, declining, slipping, slumping, waning, bankrupt, kaput, kerflooey, destroyed, ruined, wrecked

  2. marked by vigorous growth and well-being especially economically

    "sold their successful dry-cleaning business and retired to Hawaii"

    similar: booming, boomy, flourishing, golden, halcyon, healthy, lush, palmy, prospering, prosperous, roaring, thriving
    related: affluent, moneyed, opulent, rich, substantial, wealthy, well-heeled, well-off, well-to-do, comfortable
    opposite: depressed, unprosperous, unsuccessful
    near: declining, dying, failing, floundering, languishing, struggling, bankrupt, bankrupted, insolvent

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Successful

The most common words with a similar meaning to Successful:

flourishing, going, palmy, prosperous, thriving, triumphant, booming, boomy, golden, halcyon, healthy, lush, prospering, roaring, in clover

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Successful

Words with the opposite meaning of Successful:

failed, unsuccessful, depressed, unprosperous

Related Words for Successful

coming, promising, growing, robust, boffo, gangbusters, runaway, socko, affluent, moneyed, opulent, rich, substantial, wealthy, well-heeled, well-off, well-to-do, comfortable

Near Antonyms of Successful

futureless, hopeless, inauspicious, no-good, unpromising, collapsing, failing, flopping, flunking, folding, washing-out, declining, slipping, slumping, waning, bankrupt, kaput, kerflooey, destroyed, ruined, wrecked, dying, floundering, languishing, struggling, bankrupted, insolvent

Word Forms of Successful

Derived words: successfully (adverb), successfulness (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Successful

First known use: 1594

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Successful

Frequently Asked Questions about Successful

What does "Successful" mean?

"Successful" means resulting or terminating in success. As an adjective, it is defined as: resulting or terminating in success. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Successful"?

Other words for "Successful" include flourishing, going, palmy, prosperous, thriving, triumphant, booming and boomy. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Successful" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Successful"?

There are 33 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Successful". Common alternatives include flourishing, going, palmy, prosperous, thriving, triumphant, booming, boomy, golden and halcyon.

What is the opposite of "Successful"?

Antonyms of "Successful" include failed, unsuccessful, depressed and unprosperous. Near antonyms include futureless, hopeless, inauspicious and no-good.

How do you use "Successful" in a sentence?

Examples of "Successful" in a sentence: "the play had a successful run on Broadway"; "sold their successful dry-cleaning business and retired to Hawaii".

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

"Successful" is an adjective.

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

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

How do you pronounce "Successful"?

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