Successful
What it means
Achieving a desired or worthwhile result.
Reach for it when describing a person, effort, or result that achieves its intended purpose
The successful repair kept the bridge open.
Words to choose between 6
| everyday | |
|---|---|
| warm | |
| professional |
|
| formal | |
| literary |
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everyday
Fits when healthy growth continues over time
Careful A completed rescue can be successful without anything continuing to thrive.
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warm
Fits when useful results emerge from a meeting, relationship, or period of work
Careful Fruitful suggests productive yield rather than a single target reached.
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professional
Fits when a method produces the intended practical effect
Careful A successful career or person is broader than an effective method.
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formal
Fits when developed skill and substantial achievements define the person
Careful One successful attempt does not make someone accomplished.
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formal
Fits when continuing financial or material well-being is central
Careful Social and creative success should not be reduced to prosperity.
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literary
Fits when a contest or struggle ends in a clear win
Careful Collaborative success rarely needs the language of defeating an opponent.
Opposites 3
- unsuccessful
- ineffective
- failed
Common phrases 3
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successful project
The successful project restored clean water to four villages.
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highly successful
The mentoring scheme proved highly successful in its first term.
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successful outcome
Careful preparation made a successful outcome more likely.
Word family 1
Definitions and examples are written for this site. How words are chosen Recording: Dvortygirl, American accent, from Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 Updated