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Definition of "successful" []

  • Having a favorable outcome: a successful heart transplant. (adjective)
  • Having obtained something desired or intended: was successful in stopping the leak of oil. (adjective)
  • Having achieved wealth or eminence: a successful architect. (adjective)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Use "successful" in a sentence
  • "Another important thing about Mozart to keep in mind is that his father was also a successful musician, as well as a _successful teacher_ of music who saw that his son had talent devoted a lot of time and effort towards making that talent bloom as much as possible."
  • "The term successful, unfortunately, is a bit of a-- a bit of a vague term."
  • "SANJAY GUPTA, CNN CHIEF MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: Yes, you know, the term successful is a little bit of a vague term when it comes to this."