The meaning of SUCCESSFUL is resulting or terminating in success. How to use successful in a sentence.

SUCCESSFUL definition: 1. achieving the results wanted or hoped for: 2. having achieved a lot, become popular, and/or…. Learn more.

SUCCESSFUL definition: achieving or having achieved success. See examples of successful used in a sentence.

Someone who is successful achieves a high position in what they do, for example in business or politics.

Define successful. successful synonyms, successful pronunciation, successful translation, English dictionary definition of successful. adj. 1. Having a favorable outcome: a successful heart transplant.

Apr 15, 2026 · Success means different things to different people. Discover what success truly means, why the standard definition falls short, and how to define yours on your terms.

achieving or having achieved success: She had become a very successful businesswoman. resulting in success: a successful attempt to quit smoking. suc•cess•ful•ly, adv.: successfully answered the next …

Apr 4, 2026 · successful (comparative more successful, superlative most successful) Resulting in success; assuring or promoting success; accomplishing what was proposed; having the desired effect.

If you win or do well, at whatever it is you do, you are successful. Successful people usually get more money, attention, and praise.

There are five meanings listed in OED's entry for the adjective successful, two of which are labelled obsolete. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence.