success Meaning, Definition & Usage

noun an event that accomplishes its intended purpose
- let's call heads a success and tails a failure
- the election was a remarkable success for the Whigs
noun an attainment that is successful
- his success in the marathon was unexpected
- his new play was a great success
noun a state of prosperity or fame
- he is enjoying great success
- he does not consider wealth synonymous with success
noun a person with a record of successes
succeeder; achiever; winner.
- his son would never be the achiever that his father was
- only winners need apply
- if you want to be a success you have to dress like a success

L. successus: cf. F. succès. See Succeed.

Act of succeeding; succession. Obs.
Then all the sons of these five brethren reigned By due success. Spenser.
That which comes after; hence, consequence, issue, or result, of an endeavor or undertaking, whether good or bad; the outcome of effort.
Men . . . that are like to do that, that is committed to them, and to report back again faithfully the success. Bacon.

Perplexed and troubled at his bad success The tempter stood. Milton.
The favorable or prosperous termination of anything attempted; the attainment of a proposed object; prosperous issue.
Dream of success and happy victory! Shak.

Or teach with more success her son The vices of the time to shun. Waller.

Military successes, above all others, elevate the minds of a people. Atterbury.
That which meets with, or one who accomplishes, favorable results, as a play or a player. Colloq.