winning

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "winning" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to refer to something that is successful or victorious, such as a team or individual that has achieved something. For example, "The soccer team celebrated their winning goal."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sport

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

The winning numbers drawn Wednesday night were 05, 25, 30, 58, 59 and Powerball 32.

The Guardian

Labour's future depends on winning more in the south, where 43% now think it deserves another spell in power.

The Guardian

If our movie memories weren't Hollywood-skewed, we'd think of Chronicle of the Years of Embers as a classic but, despite winning the Palme d'or in Cannes in 1975, Mohammad Lakhdar-Hamina's film has fallen into the shadows.

The Guardian - Film

Unlike in Iceland, however, the teams who finished above them were all beaten on their way to winning the title.

The Guardian - Sport

But normal service was resumed as goals from George Tucudean in the 28th minute and Johnnie Jackson in the 51st minute got the Addicks back to winning ways despite Dean Moxey pulling one back for the visitors, who remain in the bottom three.

The Guardian - Sport

Not every player can go out like Muttiah Muralitharan, taking his 800th wicket with his final ball in Test cricket, or Nasser Hussain, hitting the winning runs to go to a final century at Lord's.

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

Mr Mallon, 65, moved to quell speculation that he would be the natural successor to the Nobel prize-winning Mr Hume within 24 hours of the leader's resignation.

The Guardian

Man Booker prize-winning author Hilary Mantel delivered a spirited attack on her critics after the BBC was condemned over plans to broadcast her "mischievous" short story on the imagined assassination of Margaret Thatcher.

The Guardian - Books

Oscar and Olivier award-winning in the same year (1999) for Sam Mendes's film American Beauty and The Iceman Cometh at London's Old Vic, Spacey has conquered both mediums.

The Guardian

As traders braced themselves for further shifts towards yes in polls due within days, the Nobel prize-winning economist Paul Krugman said Scottish voters needed to "be very afraid" about the risks of independence.

The Guardian

Collider suggests Captain Marvel could replace Africa, a proposed biopic of the real-life fossil hunter turned protector of elephants Richard Leakey, on the Oscar-winning actor's film-making slate.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a team's performance, use "winning" to highlight their success and dominance in a specific game or tournament. For example, "The team celebrated their "winning" streak."

Common error

Avoid using "winning" as a standalone noun when a more specific term like "victory" or "triumph" would be more appropriate. For example, instead of saying "The winning was unexpected", say "The victory was unexpected."

Linguistic Context

The term "winning" primarily functions as an adjective or a present participle. Ludwig AI confirms its usability, often describing qualities that lead to success or the act of achieving victory. Examples include phrases like "winning strategy" or "winning the game".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

31%

Sport

31%

Lifestyle

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The term "winning" is frequently used as an adjective or present participle to describe success, achievement, or attractiveness. Ludwig AI confirms it's a grammatically sound term that communicates a sense of triumph and accomplishment. It appears frequently in contexts related to news, sports, and lifestyle, indicating its broad applicability. While alternatives like "victorious" and "triumphant" exist, "winning" remains a versatile choice, particularly when emphasizing the act or quality of achieving a win. Remember to use "victory" or "triumph" instead of "winning" when a noun is needed. Use it to highlight positive attributes, achievements, and the attainment of goals. With this understanding, you can confidently incorporate "winning" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

victorious

Emphasizes the triumph or conquest aspect of winning.

triumphant

Highlights the joy and celebration associated with a win.

successful

Focuses on achieving a desired outcome or goal.

prevailing

Suggests overcoming obstacles or competition to win.

achieving victory

A more descriptive phrase emphasizing the act of attaining victory.

securing a win

Highlights the act of obtaining or ensuring a win.

emerging as the victor

A more formal way to describe the act of winning.

on top

A simpler, more colloquial way of saying winning.

taking first place

Specifically refers to winning in a competition or race.

coming out ahead

Focuses on surpassing others and achieving a better position.

FAQs

How can I use "winning" in a sentence?

You can use "winning" as an adjective to describe something that leads to success or victory. For example, "The coach devised a "winning strategy" for the team."

What are some synonyms for "winning"?

Alternatives for "winning" include "victorious", "triumphant", and "successful", depending on the specific context you want to convey.

Is it correct to use "winning" as a noun?

While "winning" can function as a noun (referring to the act of winning), it's often clearer and more formal to use "victory" or "triumph" instead. For example, "The team celebrated their "victory"." is often better than "The team celebrated their winning."

What's the difference between "winning" and "victorious"?

"Winning" typically describes the act or state of achieving a win, while "victorious" is an adjective describing someone or something that has achieved victory. You might say "The team had a winning season" and "The victorious team celebrated."