what a success

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "what a success" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express enthusiasm or admiration for a successful outcome or achievement. Example: "After months of hard work, the event turned out to be what a success it was, exceeding all our expectations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

"What a success!" she said.

The New York Times - Magazine

What a success!

The Guardian

And what a success it has been.

The Guardian

Slow hand clap at being good at losing weight, what a success story.

Independent

Tells about the party & what a success it is; nearly all the guests are faculty members.

The New Yorker

We have a big convoy of 17 mules heading to Los Venados before midday — what a success!

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

But what a tremendous success this is.

The Guardian - Film

It's amazing what a little success can do.

The Guardian - Sport

There was a huge inflatable Fiat 500, a reminder of what a big success that little car has been.

The New York Times

Only after a few months did something else appear properly in focus – what a tremendous success the biography had become.

The Guardian

ELEVEN years ago, when the New York Legislature passed Kendra's Law, few could have foretold what a resounding success it would be.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "what a success" to express genuine surprise or delight at a positive outcome, especially when the effort or risk involved was substantial.

Common error

Avoid using "what a success" in contexts where a more neutral or objective assessment is required. Opt for phrases like "it was successful" or "the outcome was positive" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "what a success" is that of an exclamatory phrase. It expresses strong emotion or admiration regarding a positive outcome. As noted by Ludwig, the phrase is usable in written English to convey enthusiasm or admiration for a successful outcome or achievement.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Wiki

12%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

4%

Academia

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "what a success" is a commonly used exclamatory phrase to express strong approval or delight at a positive outcome. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across various contexts. While primarily found in news and media, its slightly informal tone suggests caution in strictly formal or scientific settings. Alternative phrases like ""what a triumph"" or ""what an achievement"" offer similar sentiments with varying degrees of emphasis. When employing the phrase, ensure it aligns with the context's register, avoiding overuse in situations demanding objective assessment.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

what a triumph

Replaces "success" with a word that implies a great victory or achievement, suggesting a more significant accomplishment.

what an achievement

Focuses on the accomplishment itself, highlighting the effort and skill involved.

what an accomplishment

Similar to "what an achievement", but with a slightly more formal tone.

what a feat

Emphasizes the difficulty and skill required to achieve the success.

what a breakthrough

Highlights a significant advancement or discovery that led to the success.

what a milestone

Emphasizes the importance of the success as a significant point in a progression.

what a victory

Highlights the competitive aspect and winning nature of the success.

what a marvel

Emphasizes the surprising or wondrous nature of the success.

what a positive outcome

Highlights the result as something beneficial or favorable.

what a fortunate result

Implies that luck played a role in achieving the success.

FAQs

How can I use "what a success" in a sentence?

You can use "what a success" to express enthusiasm or approval for a favorable result. For instance, "The project, against all odds, turned out to be what a success!"

What are some alternatives to "what a success"?

Alternatives include "what a triumph", "what an achievement", or "what a feat". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "what a success" formal or informal?

It leans toward informal, expressing excitement or surprise. In professional settings, consider more neutral phrases like "it was successful" or "the outcome was positive".

Can "what a success" be used sarcastically?

Yes, it can be used sarcastically to express the opposite of its literal meaning. The tone and context would need to make the sarcasm clear.