- the favourable outcome of something attempted
- the attainment of wealth, fame, etc
- an action, performance, etc, that is characterized by success
- a person or thing that is successful
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
suc•cess /səkˈsɛs/USA pronunciation
n.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- the favorable result of something attempted:[uncountable]Success is important in a child's early attempts to learn something.
- the gaining of wealth, position, honors, etc.:[uncountable]He had achieved success.
- a successful performance or achievement:[countable]Was the party a success?
- a person or thing that is successful:[countable]He felt that at last he was a success.
suc•cess
(sək ses′),USA pronunciation n.
suc•cess′less, adj.
suc•cess′less•ly, adv.
suc•cess′less•ness, n.
- the favorable or prosperous termination of attempts or endeavors.
- the attainment of wealth, position, honors, or the like.
- a successful performance or achievement:The play was an instant success.
- a person or thing that is successful:She was a great success on the talk show.
- [Obs.]outcome.
- Latin successus, equivalent. to succēd-, stem of succēdere to succeed + -tus suffix of verb, verbal action, with dt
ss - 1530–40
suc•cess′less•ly, adv.
suc•cess′less•ness, n.
- 2. achievement, fame, triumph.
Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
success /səkˈsɛs/ n
'be a success' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):