- [uncountable] the fact that you have achieved something that you want and have been trying to do or get
- The company has achieved considerable success in this market.
- Initially the venture enjoyed a fair amount of success.
- success in doing something I didn't have much success in finding a job.
- without success I tried a second time, but without success.
- Confidence is the key to success.
- Their plan will probably meet with little success.
- The success or failure of the project was now in the students' control.
Extra ExamplesTopics Successa1- He attributes his success to having a stable family life.
- She was pleased with her apparent success.
- I owe my success to him.
- It has already been used with great success.
- Much of his success lies in his skill in handling staff.
- Several people have reported success with this approach.
- She had worked hard and was confident of success.
- She tried to persuade them without success.
- I've had some success in getting rid of the weeds.
- The campaign to stop drink-driving had only limited success.
- The company's excellent marketing has resulted in enormous international success.
- The operation has a success rate of over 80%.
- The year-long fight for a pay rise ended in success.
- We are sad to see Hiroko go, and wish her every success in the future.
- We're trying to get him to sponsor us, but there's not much hope of success.
- What are our chances of success?
- They have little prospect of success.
- Your contribution was vital to the success of the concert.
- the secret of his success with women
- The company's continued success largely depends on its ability to adapt.
- She has had success at national and international contests.
- These changes are necessary to ensure the long-term success of the brand.
- Big-money backing doesn't guarantee success.
- Your input is critical to the success of the project.
- Personal fulfilment is the true measure of success.
- I tried baking all my own bread, with varying degrees of success.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- enormous
- great
- immense
- …
- amount
- degree
- level
- …
- achieve
- attain
- enjoy
- …
- come
- lie (in something)
- depend on something
- …
- rate
- story
- factor
- …
- with success
- without success
- success in
- …
- a chance of success
- a hope of success
- confident of success
- …
Definitions on the go
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- [uncountable] the fact of becoming rich or famous or of getting a high social position
- What's the secret of your success?
- They didn't have much success in life.
- She was surprised by the book's success (= that it had sold a lot of copies).
Extra Examples- Success didn't come overnight—she struggled for years before making any money.
- artists who have experienced some initial success
- We should not measure their success in money alone.
- [countable] a person or thing that has achieved a good result and been successful
- The party was a great success.
- a resounding/tremendous/phenomenal success.
- The book proved a huge commercial success.
- He's proud of his daughter's successes.
- He was determined to make a success of the business.
- success as something She wasn't a success as a teacher.
- It is important to learn from both successes and failures.
Extra ExamplesTopics Successa2- He is eager to notch up another success.
- She's made a real success of that job.
- The band's new album has been a runaway success.
- The event was judged a success by its organizers.
- The movement has scored some notable successes.
- We had one or two outstanding successes.
- He had already achieved modest successes on the London stage.
- If we manage to break even this year, it will be a qualified success.
- It is important to celebrate our successes.
- The product was a huge success.
- The operation has a success rate of 80 percent.
- Despite his successes, John remained modest.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective- resounding
- roaring
- rousing
- …
- be
- prove
- have
- …
- wish somebody (every) success
opposite failure
Word Originmid 16th cent.: from Latin successus, from the verb succedere ‘come close after’, from sub- ‘close to’ + cedere ‘go’.
Idioms
See success in the Oxford Advanced American DictionarySee success in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic Englishnothing succeeds like success
- (saying) when you are successful in one area of your life, it often leads to success in other areasTopics Successc2
a resounding success
(also also informal a roaring success)
- a very great success
- The evening was a resounding success.
- The latest Disneyland has been a roaring success.
the sweet smell of success
- (informal) the pleasant feeling of being successfulTopics Successc2
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