success
The achievement of a goal or something you aimed for.
Word facts
Definition
Success is the achievement of something you aimed for — a goal, plan, or task that turned out well. Success can be small (finishing a difficult task) or large (reaching a major life milestone). It often comes after effort, setbacks, and persistence.
Usage: Success is a noun; succeed is the related verb. 'A success' refers to a specific achievement; 'success' without an article is the general concept. You cannot say 'a success' and mean the same thing as the uncountable 'success'.
A common spelling error is writing 'sucess' (one c and one s) or 'succes' (one s). Remember: two c's followed by two s's: suc-cess.
Example sentences
- 1
After several failed attempts, she finally had success with the recipe.
- 2
His success in the competition opened new opportunities for his career.
- 3
Small daily habits are often the most reliable path to long-term success.
Word family
From Latin successus ('a good result'), from succedere ('to come after, to follow up'). The original sense was about what 'comes after' your effort — the outcome that follows your actions.
Success has two c's and two s's. Think: it takes two serious commitments to succeed — Commitment and Consistency.
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FAQ
Questions people ask
How do you spell success?
Success is spelled s-u-c-c-e-s-s. The tricky part is two c's followed by two s's.
What is the verb form of success?
The verb form is succeed. Example: She worked hard and finally succeeded.
How many syllables does success have?
Success has 2 syllables: suc-cess. The stress is on the second syllable: suc-CESS.
What is the adjective form of success?
The adjective form is successful. Example: a successful business strategy.