successful

USAGE SUMMARY

"successful" is a perfectly correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it to describe something that has been accomplished in a positive way, or to express admiration for someone who has achieved a positive outcome. Example sentence: Her hard work and dedication have made her successful in her chosen profession.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

North Korea's state media often boasts of successful military and space accomplishments, including the launch of a functional communications satellite, which are not independently verified by outside experts.

The Guardian

"I'm in a successful TV show in a kind of leading man way and it can sometimes feel like your art is being put to one side for your sex appeal.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"This acquisition allows us to secure a large, global platform on which to distribute our increasingly successful original programming through a collection of strong, well-established and well-managed assets worldwide".

The New York Times

Writers who successfully complete the course will receive a successful completion certificate from UEA, which will be made on the basis of ongoing assessment and a final submission of at least 10,000 words.

The Guardian

A successful referendum requires a double majority – a national yes vote, and affirmation in the majority of the states.

The Guardian

This book has been my chance to find out what makes other top people in sport, business and politics as successful as me.

The Guardian - Books

Cowell added: "I want to thank ITV for their continued support and, most of all, all of you guys in the room who've slagged us off, written nice things, but it's all been great – you've made us successful, loads of money – so thank you very much indeed".

The Guardian

His record - two cups within six months of his appointment, a domestic treble in his first full season, a second title in 2005 and reaching the last 16 of the Champions League - set the context for a rueful but masterfully understated parting comment: "I'm sure those people who look at the facts will say that during a period of downsizing, I was reasonably successful".

The Guardian - Sport

"Believe me when I tell you that we are going for it this time - we want to be successful in Europe, and the money we are raising now will take us there," Murray boasted of a team that, by then, contained Arthur Numan, Giovanni van Bronckhorst and Michael Mols.

The Guardian - Sport

Firstly to highlight what are the factors that link successful women, but also to give a voice to women of colour.

The Guardian

There are such totems of postmodern urbanism as a Chinatown, a gay village and a bohemian Northern Quarter, fed by two leading universities and two successful football teams.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a series of accomplishments, consider using synonyms like "fruitful" or "rewarding" to avoid repetition.

Common error

Avoid using "successful" as a generic term without specifying what made the subject successful. Always provide details about the specific achievements or positive outcomes.

Linguistic Context

The word "successful" functions primarily as an adjective, modifying nouns to describe something that has achieved a desired outcome or accomplished its goal. Ludwig AI shows numerous examples in news and media contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Sport

20%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Reference

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "successful" is a versatile adjective used to describe something that has achieved its intended outcome. Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically correct and frequently used across various domains, particularly in News & Media. To enhance your writing, provide specific context when using "successful" to highlight the nature and scope of the achievement. Avoid overuse by considering synonyms like "effective", "fruitful", or "prosperous". Remember, as Ludwig AI points out, providing context ensures clarity and impact in your communication, and it is better to be specific and explain clearly what made something “successful”. While "successful" is typically positive, its appropriateness depends on the situation, sometimes requiring more specific descriptors.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

effective

Focuses on achieving the desired result.

fruitful

Focuses on the positive results or outcomes produced.

prosperous

Emphasizes financial success and well-being.

thriving

Highlights growth and flourishing.

accomplished

Highlights the achievement of a specific goal.

rewarding

Highlights the satisfaction derived from the achievement.

flourishing

Emphasizes growth and positive development.

victorious

Implies winning a competition or overcoming an obstacle.

booming

Highlights rapid economic growth or popularity.

triumphant

Implies a great victory or achievement.

FAQs

How can I use "successful" in a sentence?

You can use "successful" to describe something that achieves its desired outcome, such as "a successful business" or "a successful project".

What are some alternatives to "successful"?

You can use alternatives like "effective", "fruitful", or "prosperous" depending on the context.

What does it mean to be "successful"?

To be "successful" means achieving a desired aim or result. It often implies accomplishing something noteworthy or positive.

Is it always appropriate to use "successful"?

While "successful" is generally positive, consider the context. Sometimes, more specific words like "efficient" or "productive" might be more appropriate.