Success is the achievement of something that you have been trying to do.
It's important for the long-term success of any diet that you vary your meals.
...the success of European business in building a stronger partnership between managementand workers. [+ of]
Synonyms: victory, triumph, positive result, favourable outcome More Synonyms of success
2. uncountable noun
Success is the achievement of a high position in a particular field, for example in business or politics.
Nearly all of the young people interviewed believed that work was the key to success.
Synonyms: prosperity, riches, fortune, luck More Synonyms of success
3. uncountable noun [usually with poss]
The success of something is the fact that it works in a satisfactory way or has the result that is intended.
Most of the cast was amazed by the play's success.
They were enthused by the success of the first exhibition.
4. countable noun
Someone or something that is a success achieves a high position, makes a lot of money, or is admired a great deal.
The jewellery was a great success.
We hope it will be a commercial success.
Synonyms: hit [informal], winner, smash [informal], triumph More Synonyms of success
More Synonyms of success
success in British English
(səkˈsɛs)
noun
1.
the favourable outcome of something attempted
2.
the attainment of wealth, fame, etc
3.
an action, performance, etc, that is characterized by success
4.
a person or thing that is successful
5. obsolete
any outcome
Derived forms
successless (sucˈcessless)
adjective
Word origin
C16: from Latin successus an outcome, from succēdere to succeed
success in American English
(səkˈsɛs)
noun
1. Obsolete
result; outcome
2.
a.
a favorable or satisfactory outcome or result
b.
something having such an outcome
3.
the gaining of wealth, fame, rank, etc.
4.
a successful person
Word origin
L successus < pp. of succedere: see succeed
COBUILD Collocations
success
achieve success
commercial success
enjoy success
huge success
instant success
notable success
phenomenal success
runaway success
success is attributable to
Examples of 'success' in a sentence
success
West has built his huge success on an alluring jumble of mixed messages.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
In those terms it appears to be a great success.
Hindess, Barry Choice, Rationality, and Social Theory (1988)
To make sure my new business is a success and become more secure financially.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
The success of that deal prompted it to explore the sale of other holdings.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
This was unpleasant and had limited success.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Your most creative friend will be the key to career success for you.
The Sun (2016)
Gas was also behind a second of our big successes.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
The commercial success of these shows is rather more difficult to explain.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
You have a reference experience for success.
O'Connor, Joseph & Seymour, John Training with N.L.P. (1994)
You end up essentially raising a glass to success in a field where you have failed.
The Sun (2013)
That too is having only modest success.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
The essay is finally delivered and the exhibition is a success.
The Times Literary Supplement (2010)
It seems that bankers expect to get money for success and money for failure.
The Sun (2008)
Three go on to gain fame and success playing football.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
Being confident but smart enough to check your facts brings success.
The Sun (2010)
That in itself is something of a success story.
Jonathan Gregson BLOOD AGAINST THE SNOWS: The Tragic Story of Nepal's Royal Dynasty (2002)
But the show was such a huge success.
The Sun (2014)
The business was a success in both countries.
Peter F. Drucker MANAGEMENT: task, responsibilities, practices (1974)
Sport teaches young people to deal with success and cope with failure.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
He acknowledged that his efforts had had only limited success.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
But his road to career success has involved more of a struggle than most of his companions.
The Sun (2014)
That he has managed to do that with commercial success is very significant.
Christianity Today (2000)
Sailing and rowing have provided high hopes for success and two of our biggest medal hopes are in action today.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
This took the form of a conversation, a form she used in poetry to great success.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
What's been your biggest financial success?
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
Quotations
Eighty percent of success is showing upWoody Allen
It is not enough to succeed. Others must failGore Vidal
Failure is inevitable. Success is elusiveSteven Spielberg
To succeed in the world we must look foolish but be wiseC.L. de MontesquieuPensées
Success has ruin'd many a manBenjamin FranklinPoor Richard's Almanack
The secret of business success is honesty and sincerity. If you can fake those, you've got it madeattributed to Groucho Marx
If A is success in life, then A equals x plus y plus z. Work is x; y is play; and z is keeping your mouth shutAlbert Einstein
Success is relative; It is what we can make of the mess we have made of thingsT.S. EliotThe Family Reunion
success: the one unpardonable sin against one's fellowsAmbrose BierceThe Devil's Dictionary
Be nice to people on your way up because you'll meet 'em on your way downWilson Mizner
Nothing succeeds like success
There is always room at the top
In other languages
success
British English: success /səkˈsɛs/ NOUN
Success is the achievement of something you have wanted to achieve.
Work was the key to success.
American English: success
Arabic: نـَجَاح
Brazilian Portuguese: sucesso
Chinese: 成功
Croatian: uspjeh
Czech: úspěch
Danish: succes
Dutch: succes
European Spanish: éxito
Finnish: menestys
French: réussite
German: Erfolg
Greek: επιτυχία
Italian: successo
Japanese: 成功
Korean: 성공
Norwegian: suksess
Polish: sukces
European Portuguese: sucesso
Romanian: succes
Russian: успех
Latin American Spanish: éxito
Swedish: framgång
Thai: ความสำเร็จ
Turkish: başarı
Ukrainian: успіх
Vietnamese: sự thành công
All related terms of 'success'
enjoy success
Someone or something that is a success achieves a high position, makes a lot of money, or is admired a great deal .
huge success
Someone or something that is a success achieves a high position, makes a lot of money, or is admired a great deal .
Lake Success
a village in SE New York State, on W Long Island: headquarters of the United Nations Security Council from 1946 to 1951. Pop: 2832 (2003 est)
success story
Someone or something that is a success story is very successful, often unexpectedly or in spite of unfavourable conditions.
achieve success
Success is the achievement of something that you have been trying to do.
instant success
Someone or something that is a success achieves a high position, makes a lot of money, or is admired a great deal.
notable success
Someone or something that is a success achieves a high position, makes a lot of money, or is admired a great deal .
runaway success
Someone or something that is a success achieves a high position, makes a lot of money, or is admired a great deal .
success factor
A factor is one of the things that affects an event, decision , or situation.
success stories
A story is a description of an event or something that happened to someone, especially a spoken description of it.
commercial success
Someone or something that is a success achieves a high position, makes a lot of money, or is admired a great deal .
deferred success
(in Britain) a euphemism suggested as an alternative to ‘ failure ’, in order not to stigmatize pupils who have not achieved a pass in a particular subject
overnight success
something that becomes successful very quickly
phenomenal success
Someone or something that is a success achieves a high position, makes a lot of money, or is admired a great deal.
qualified success
If you describe something as a qualified success , you mean that it is only partly successful .
box-office success
a very successful film or play that earns a lot of money
success is attributable to
Someone or something that is a success achieves a high position, makes a lot of money, or is admired a great deal.
be charm, success, etc personified
to be very charming , successful , etc
Chinese translation of 'success'
success
(səkˈsɛs)
n(u/c)
成功 (chénggōng)
without success一无(無)所成 (yī wú suǒ chéng)
All related terms of 'success'
without success
一无(無)所成 yī wú suǒ chéng
a box office success
非常卖(賣)座 fēicháng màizuò
an overnight success
突如其来(來)的成功 tū rú qí lái de chénggōng
to be hungry for success
渴望成功 kěwàng chénggōng
a gateway to success/stardom
成功/成名之道 chénggōng/chéngmíng zhī dào
a recipe for disaster/success
造成灾(災)难(難)的因素/成功的秘(祕)诀(訣) zàochéng zāinàn de yīnsù/chénggōng de mìjué
it was a qualified success
这(這)是一次有限的胜(勝)利 zhè shì yī cì yǒuxiàn de shènglì
the secret of (sb's) success
(某人)成功的秘(祕)诀(訣) (mǒurén) chénggōng de mìjué
on the road to success/recovery
在获(獲)得成功/康复(復)的过(過)程中 zài huòdé chénggōng/kāngfù de guòchéng zhōng
有百分之五十(成功)的机(機)会(會) yǒu bǎi fēn zhī wǔshí (chénggōng) de jīhuì
1 (noun)
Definition
the achievement of something attempted
the success of European business in building a stronger partnership
Synonyms
victory
His players deserved this famous victory.
triumph
positive result
favourable outcome
successfulness
Opposites
failure
,
collapse
,
disaster
,
misfortune
,
downfall
2 (noun)
Definition
the attainment of wealth, fame, or position
Nearly all of them believed work was the key to success.
Synonyms
prosperity
a life of peace and prosperity
riches
fortune
He made his fortune in car sales.
luck
I knew I needed a bit of luck to win.
wealth
The discovery of oil brought untold wealth to the island.
fame
eminence
ascendancy
affluence
The postwar era was one of new affluence for the working class.
opulence
He is surrounded by possessions which testify to his opulence.
3 (noun)
Definition
a person or thing that is successful
We hope it will be a commercial success.
Synonyms
hit (informal)
The song became a massive hit in 1945.
winner
She will present the trophies to the winners.
smash (informal)
It is the public who decide if a film is a smash or a flop.
triumph
Cataract operations are a triumph of modern surgery.
belter (slang)
sensation
the film that turned her into an overnight sensation
sell-out
wow (slang)
best seller
market leader
smash hit (informal)
box office success
Opposites
flop (informal)
,
fiasco
,
washout
,
clunker (informal)
,
dead duck (slang)
4 (noun)
Definition
a person or thing that is successful
Everyone who knows her says she will be a great success.
Synonyms
big name
all the big names in rock and pop
star
Not all football stars are ill-behaved louts.
hit (informal)
somebody
He suddenly became a somebody.
celebrity
At the age of twelve, he was already a celebrity.
sensation
megastar (informal)
V.I.P.
Opposites
nobody
,
loser
,
no-hoper
,
non-person
,
saddo (British, slang)
Quotations
Eighty percent of success is showing up [Woody Allen]It is not enough to succeed. Others must fail [Gore Vidal]Failure is inevitable. Success is elusive [Steven Spielberg]To succeed in the world we must look foolish but be wise [C.L. de Montesquieu – Pensées]Success has ruin'd many a man [Benjamin Franklin – Poor Richard's Almanack]The secret of business success is honesty and sincerity. If you can fake those, you've got it made [attributed to Groucho Marx]If A is success in life, then A equals x plus y plus z. Work is x; y is play; and z is keeping your mouth shut [Albert Einstein]Success is relative; It is what we can make of the mess we have made of things [T.S. Eliot – The Family Reunion]success: the one unpardonable sin against one's fellows [Ambrose Bierce – The Devil's Dictionary]Be nice to people on your way up because you'll meet 'em on your way down [Wilson Mizner]
proverbs
Nothing succeeds like successThere is always room at the top
Additional synonyms
in the sense of affluence
The postwar era was one of new affluence for the working class.
Synonyms
wealth,
riches,
plenty,
fortune,
prosperity,
abundance,
big money,
exuberance,
profusion,
big bucks (informal, US),
opulence,
top dollar (informal),
megabucks (US, Canadian, slang),
pretty penny (informal),
wad (US, Canadian, slang),
tidy sum (informal)
in the sense of celebrity
Definition
a famous person
At the age of twelve, he was already a celebrity.
Synonyms
personality,
name,
star,
lion,
superstar,
big name,
dignitary,
luminary,
bigwig (informal),
celeb (informal),
face (informal),
big shot (informal),
personage,
megastar (informal),
V.I.P.
in the sense of fortune
Definition
wealth or material prosperity
He made his fortune in car sales.
Synonyms
wealth,
means,
property,
riches,
resources,
assets,
pile (informal),
possessions,
treasure,
prosperity,
mint,
gold mine,
wad (US, Canadian, slang),
affluence,
opulence,
tidy sum (informal)
Synonyms of 'success'
success
Explore 'success' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of luck
Definition
success or good fortune
I knew I needed a bit of luck to win.
Synonyms
good fortune,
success,
advantage,
prosperity,
break (informal),
stroke of luck,
blessing,
windfall,
good luck,
fluke,
godsend,
serendipity
in the sense of opulence
He is surrounded by possessions which testify to his opulence.
Synonyms
wealth,
means,
riches (informal),
capital,
resources,
assets,
fortune,
substance,
prosperity,
affluence,
easy circumstances,
prosperousness
in the sense of sensation
Definition
an exciting person or thing
the film that turned her into an overnight sensation
Synonyms
hit,
success,
wow (slang, US),
crowd puller (informal)
in the sense of smash
Definition
a show, record or film which is very popular with the public
It is the public who decide if a film is a smash or a flop.
Synonyms
success,
hit,
winner,
triumph (informal),
belter (slang),
sensation,
smash hit,
sellout,
smasheroo (informal)
in the sense of somebody
Definition
a person of great importance
He suddenly became a somebody.
Synonyms
celebrity,
big name,
public figure,
name,
star,
heavyweight (informal),
notable,
superstar,
household name,
dignitary,
luminary,
bigwig (informal),
celeb (informal),
big shot (informal),
personage,
megastar (informal),
big wheel (slang),
big noise (informal),
big hitter (informal),
heavy hitter (informal),
person of note,
V.I.P.,
someone,
muckymuck (Canadian, informal)
in the sense of star
Definition
a famous person from the sports, acting, or music professions
Not all football stars are ill-behaved louts.
Synonyms
celebrity,
big name,
celeb (informal),
megastar (informal),
name,
draw,
idol,
luminary,
leading man or lady,
lead,
hero or heroine,
principal,
main attraction
in the sense of triumph
Definition
an outstanding success, achievement, or victory
Cataract operations are a triumph of modern surgery.
Synonyms
success,
victory,
accomplishment,
mastery,
hit (informal),
achievement,
smash (informal),
coup,
belter (slang),
sensation,
feat,
conquest,
attainment,
smash hit (informal),
tour de force,
walkover (informal),
feather in your cap,
smasheroo (slang)
in the sense of wealth
Definition
the state of being rich
The discovery of oil brought untold wealth to the island.