succeed

The word “succeed” means to achieve a desired goal or outcome. In plain terms, either to achieve what you were trying to do, or to come next and take someone's place.

“Succeed” is pronounced suhk-SEED (/səkˈsiːd/ in IPA).

Here is “succeed” used in a sentence: “She worked hard and finally succeeded in passing the bar exam.”

Words with a similar meaning to “succeed” include flourish, ensue, follow and follow on.

The opposite of “succeed” — its antonyms — are precede, fail and fall on one's face.

“Succeed” is a verb.

The word “succeed” comes from Latin. From Old French succeder, from Latin succedere ("to come after, take the place of, prosper"), from sub- ("under, next to") plus cedere ("to go, yield").

“Succeed” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.

"Succeed" has two distinct senses: to achieve a desired goal or outcome, as in "she succeeded in passing the exam," and to take over a position or title after someone else, as in "he succeeded his father as king." Context and often the preposition make clear which is meant.

When "succeed" means to achieve something, it is followed by "in" plus a noun or -ing form, as in "succeed in business" or "succeed in finishing." When it means to follow into a role, it is followed by "to," as in "succeed to the throne."

To succeed can mean to come after or take over from someone, while to precede means to come before them. A monarch who succeeds another follows them, whereas the one who preceded came earlier.

"Succeed" means to reach a desired goal and is usually intransitive, often paired with "in," as in "he succeeded." "Achieve" is transitive and takes a direct object, as in "he achieved his goal," naming the specific thing accomplished.