success
suhk-SEHS
Success (noun) means the achievement of a goal or desired result. Example: “With patience and good planning, the project was a success from the start.”
noun
1
The achievement of a goal or desired result.
"With patience and good planning, the project was a success from the start."
"The launch was a huge success for the small startup."
"Her success came after years of quiet persistence."
2
A person or thing that achieves a goal or does well.
"The new bakery is a real success with the local families."
"Everyone says the school fair was a great success this year."
"The film was a box-office success."
How to use success
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishGetting the result you were aiming for, or someone/something that has done well.
Common pairings
achieve success
huge success
success story
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Word forms
- Plural
- successes
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With patience and good planning, the project was a _____ from the start.
Etymology
From Latin successus, from succedere ("to succeed"), from sub- plus cedere ("to go").
Synonyms
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Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “success” mean?
The word “success” means the achievement of a goal or desired result. In plain terms, getting the result you were aiming for, or someone/something that has done well.
How do you pronounce “success”?
“Success” is pronounced suhk-SEHS (/səkˈsɛs/ in IPA).
How do you use “success” in a sentence?
Here is “success” used in a sentence: “The launch was a huge success for the small startup.”
What is another word for “success”?
Words with a similar meaning to “success” include éclat.
What part of speech is “success”?
“Success” is a noun.
Where does the word “success” come from?
The word “success” comes from Latin. From Latin successus, from succedere ("to succeed"), from sub- plus cedere ("to go").
Is “success” a common word?
“Success” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “success” have?
“Success” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the achievement of a goal or desired result.
What is the difference between success and achievement?
An achievement is a specific goal you have reached — a single accomplishment, like passing an exam. Success is the broader state or outcome of achieving what you set out to do, and can describe a whole career, project, or life. Every achievement is a success, but success often sums up many achievements together.
Can success be measured?
Yes, though it depends on how you define the goal. Success is often measured against concrete targets — sales figures, grades, profit, or completing a task. But it can also be personal and subjective, such as happiness or growth, which are harder to quantify. Clear goals make success much easier to measure.
What is the opposite of success?
The direct opposite of success is failure — not achieving the goal or result you aimed for. Related opposites include defeat, loss, and disappointment. It is worth remembering that failure is often part of the path to success, so the two are frequently treated as stages rather than simple opposites.
Is success always about money or fame?
No. While success is often pictured as wealth, status, or fame, the word simply means achieving a desired result. That result could be raising a family, learning a skill, recovering your health, or finishing a personal project. Success is defined by your own goals, so it looks different for every person.
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