successful

successful — adjective

1. Something that is successful produces the result that was wanted or planned for

1.adjectiveA2
Definition

Something that is successful produces the result that was wanted or planned for it.

Example

Liam's training plan was successful because he finished the marathon in under four hours.

was successful + because-clause

The hospital's new treatment for skin infections has been highly successful.

highly successful (adverb + successful)

Common collocations
  • successful in
  • highly successful
  • successful attempt
  • successful outcome
Synonyms
  • effective

    focuses on producing the intended result, often used for methods or treatments

  • fruitful

    more formal and literary, emphasises good results from effort over time

  • productive

    stresses a large amount of positive output from work done

Antonyms
  • unsuccessful

    the direct opposite; failing to achieve the goal

  • failed

    stronger, implies the attempt ended without any positive result

Grammar Patterns

be successful

successful in + V-ing

highly successful

Usage Note

Often describes the outcome of a plan, attempt, or effort. The pattern 'successful in + V-ing' is common in formal and written English.

Common Mistakes

The plan was success.
The plan was successful.
'success' is a noun; 'successful' is the adjective form.
She was successful to pass the exam.
She was successful in passing the exam.
the correct pattern after 'successful' is 'in + V-ing', not a to-infinitive.

2. A successful person, business, or product has earned great wealth or become wide

2.adjectiveA2
Definition

A successful person, business, or product has earned great wealth or become widely known and admired.

Example

Gabriela opened a small bakery that became so successful she opened two more branches.

so successful that + result clause

Kemi is one of the most successful fashion designers in Lagos.

one of the most successful + plural noun

Common collocations
  • very successful
  • successful business
  • successful career
  • successful company
Synonyms
  • prosperous

    focuses specifically on financial wealth; more formal

  • thriving

    suggests ongoing growth and doing well, often used for businesses

  • accomplished

    emphasises skill and achievement in a field

Antonyms
  • unsuccessful

    direct opposite; did not bring wealth or fame

  • failed

    stronger, suggests a complete lack of success

Grammar Patterns

be successful

successful + noun

highly/very successful

Usage Note

Can describe people, organisations, creative works (films, albums, books), or products. Frequently used in business and media contexts.

Common Mistakes

He is success.
He is successful.
use the adjective 'successful', not the noun 'success'.
She made a success business.
She made a successful business.
'successful' modifies the noun 'business' directly.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

All four words describe achieving a desired result, but they differ in scope and register. Successful is the most general word, used for any goal that is reached, from everyday tasks to major projects. Effective focuses on the method or tool itself — an effective treatment works well, regardless of whether the overall effort was perfect. Fruitful is more formal and literary, often describing long-term efforts such as research or a partnership that yields good results. Productive emphasises a high amount of output relative to effort, as in a productive day or a productive team meeting. For example, a medical trial can be fruitful (yielding valuable data), the drug tested can be effective (achieving the medical result), and the whole project can be successful (meeting its overall goals).

successful ↗effective ↗fruitfulproductive ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • be successful in + V-ing
  • prove successful
  • judged successful

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinEnglish

The word 'successful' was formed in English around the 1580s by adding the suffix '-ful' to 'success', which came from Latin 'successus' meaning 'an outcome or result.' The Latin noun came from 'succedere', meaning 'to come after, go near to, or follow.' Originally in English, 'success' simply meant any outcome — good or bad — and 'successful' meant 'producing an outcome.' By the 1700s the meaning narrowed to focus only on favourable results, which is the meaning we use today.