success
Pluralsuccesses (some meanings)
- 1The reaching of a goal or aim you were trying for.
Like finally reaching the top of a hill you have been climbing.
Her hard work finally led to success in the final exam.
We celebrated our success after winning the championship match.
UsageSay success in something. The verb is succeed: she succeeded.
Oppositefailure
- 2Becoming rich, famous, or respected, or a business making a lot of money.
Like a small singer becoming a star whose name everyone knows.
Their success made them rich and well-known across the whole town.
She wanted success more than anything: money, fame, and respect.
- 3A person or thing that reaches the goals people expected of it.
Like a plant that grows exactly the way the gardener hoped.
The new restaurant was a big success with local families.
Everyone agreed she was a success after she finished her degree.
UsageSay a success or a big success.
Less common meaning
- 4The outcome of something, or what happens as a result.
Note
Practice
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Origin
A borrowing from Latin successus, from a verb meaning "succeed," made from parts meaning "next to" and "go." Old English had its own word for success, which became "speed."
Checked 5 Nov 2026 · 4 facts
- English success was borrowed from Latin successus. en.wiktionary.org
- Latin successus derives from a verb meaning “succeed.” en.wiktionary.org
- The Latin verb consists of parts meaning “next to” and “go.” en.wiktionary.org
- An older English word meaning success developed into modern speed. en.wiktionary.org