[suh k-ses-fuh l]
- achieving or having achieved success.
- having attained wealth, position, honors, or the like.
- resulting in or attended with success.
Origin of successful
Related formssuc·cess·ful·ly, adverbsuc·cess·ful·ness, nounhalf-suc·cess·ful, adjectivehalf-suc·cess·ful·ly, adverbhalf-suc·cess·ful·ness, nounnon·suc·cess·ful, adjectivenon·suc·cess·ful·ly, adverbpre·suc·cess·ful, adjectivepre·suc·cess·ful·ly, adverbqua·si-suc·cess·ful, adjectivequa·si-suc·cess·ful·ly, adverbsem·i·suc·cess·ful, adjectivesem·i·suc·cess·ful·ly, adverb
First recorded in 1580–90; success
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for semi-successful
Historical Examples of semi-successful
British Dictionary definitions for semi-successful
Derived Formssuccessfully, adverbsuccessfulness, noun
- having succeeded in one's endeavours
- marked by a favourable outcome
- having obtained fame, wealth, etc
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for semi-successful
1580s, from success + -ful. Originally any kind of success; since late 19c. it has tended to mean "wealthy" unless otherwise indicated. Related: Successfully.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper