Achieving Success, Success and Progress, Victory and Achievement and 22 More Topics · Success And Failure English Vocabulary

Learn 247 English words covering Achieving Success, Success and Progress, Victory and Achievement and 22 more topics from the Success And Failure English Vocabulary list, each with pronunciation, a definition and example sentences.

247 words Success And Failure English Vocabulary

Achieving Success

ace /eɪs/ verb

to perform extremely well in something, especially a test

"She aces her final exam easily."

"She studied for weeks and managed to ace her final exam in chemistry with a perfect score."

accomplish /əˈkɑmplɪʃ/ verb

to achieve something after dealing with the difficulties

"I will accomplish my goals."

"Despite numerous obstacles, she managed to accomplish her ambitious project before the deadline."

achievement /əˈʧivmənt/ noun

something that has been successfully done, particularly through hard work

"It's an achievement."

"Completing the marathon was a significant personal achievement that filled her with immense pride."

advance /ədˈvæns/ noun

progress or improvement in a particular area

"There is advance."

"Technological advance has dramatically changed the way we communicate and access information."

advance /ədˈvæns/ verb

to help something progress or succeed

"We will advance the project."

"The new funding will significantly advance the research and development of this groundbreaking technology."

advancement /ədˈvænsmənt/ noun

improvements, developments, or innovations that bring progress or benefit

"It's a big advancement."

"The discovery of antibiotics represented a monumental advancement in the field of medicine."

advantage /ədˈvæntɪʤ/ noun

a condition that causes a person or thing to be more successful compared to others

"This is an advantage."

"Being bilingual is a huge advantage when applying for jobs in international companies or government agencies."

apogee /ˈæpəˌʤi/ noun

the point at which something reaches its highest level or most advanced stage of development

"The apogee was reached."

"The company's stock reached its apogee during the economic boom, before experiencing a subsequent decline."

batting average /ˈbætɪŋ ˈævərɪʤ/ noun

an individual's or company's level of success or achievement in a certain activity

"His batting average is high."

"The company's batting average in product launches has been remarkably impressive over the last decade."

Success and Progress

belong to /bɪˈlɔŋ tɪ/ verb

to be the most successful or popular individual in a particular activity

"She belongs to the best."

"As the undisputed champion, she belongs to an elite group of athletes worldwide."

big /bɪg/ adjective

widely recognized and influential in society, often achieving notable success and popularity

"He is a big star."

"The influential author is a big figure in literary circles, widely admired for her insightful novels."

big time /bɪɡ taɪm/ noun

the highest and most successful level in a profession, particularly in entertainment field

"He made big time."

"After years of small roles she finally made it big time as a Hollywood star."

blossom /ˈblɑsəm/ verb

to start to be healthier, more successful, or confident

"Her confidence began to blossom."

"After months of hard work, her talents finally began to blossom on the international stage."

boom /bum/ noun

a sudden event bringing significant success, fortune, or opportunity

"It was a big boom."

"The unexpected discovery of oil created an economic boom, transforming the small town overnight."

boom /buːm/ verb

to experience great growth and improvement

"The economy boomed after the war."

"The economy began to boom after the war as factories converted back to producing consumer goods and people had more money to spend on luxuries."

break /breɪk/ noun

an unexpected fortunate event, particularly one that leads to success

"It was a lucky break."

"Receiving that unexpected promotion proved to be a significant break, opening up new career opportunities."

break into /breɪk ˈɪntu/ verb

to become successful in a task or activity one is dealing with

"She will break into acting."

"Many aspiring musicians dream of breaking into the highly competitive music industry with their first hit single."

break through /breɪk θru/ verb

to successfully overcome or manage a problem or a difficult situation

"They will break through."

"Despite numerous setbacks, the determined team managed to break through the complex challenges of the project."

breakout /ˈbreɪˌkaʊt/ adjective

suddenly experiencing a smashing success or becoming extremely popular

"The song is breakout."

"Her debut album was a breakout success, instantly propelling her to international stardom and critical acclaim."

breakthrough /ˈbreɪkθˌru/ adjective

describing an action, discovery, or development that represents a significant and pioneering advance

"A breakthrough discovery."

"The development of this new vaccine represents a breakthrough in medical science, offering hope to millions."

Victory and Achievement

brilliant /ˈbrɪljənt/ adjective

very good at accomplishing a desired result

"The idea is brilliant."

"The brilliant scientist came up with a simple solution to a complex problem that had puzzled researchers for decades."

brilliantly /ˈbrɪljəntli/ adverb

to a remarkable degree of success, effectiveness, or excellence

"He played brilliantly."

"The pianist performed brilliantly, captivating the audience with her masterful technique and emotional expression."

bring home the bacon /brɪŋ hoʊm ðə ˈbeɪkən/ phrase

to achieve success, especially in a competitive or high-stakes situation

"They bring home bacon."

"The dedicated team worked tirelessly to bring home the bacon, securing the crucial contract for their company."

capstone /ˈkæpˌstoʊn/ noun

a person's greatest achievement or the best part of something

"It was his capstone."

"Graduating with honors and receiving a prestigious award was the capstone of her exceptional academic career."

carry off /kˈæɹi ˈɔf/ verb

to handle or manage something, often perceived as difficult or challenging, successfully or with confidence

"She carried off the task."

"Despite the immense pressure, the young actress managed to carry off the demanding role with grace."

carve /kɑrv/ verb

to manage to establish a career, reputation, etc. for oneself through hard work and dedication

"She will carve a niche."

"Through sheer determination and hard work, she managed to carve a successful career for herself in a male-dominated field."

claim /kleɪm/ verb

to succeed in doing or achieving something

"He will claim victory."

"After years of dedicated training, the athlete was finally able to claim the championship title she had long desired."

clinch /klɪnʧ/ verb

to successfully win or achieve something

"They will clinch the deal."

"With their final persuasive argument, the negotiators managed to clinch the highly anticipated merger agreement."

coast /koʊst/ verb

to progress or succeed with minimal effort

"He will coast to victory."

"Having trained extensively, the experienced runner was expected to coast to victory in the local marathon."

come off /kəm ɔf/ verb

to succeed in achieving or doing something

"It will come off."

"The elaborate plan to surprise her parents was meticulously organized and executed, and it came off beautifully."

come through /kəm θru/ verb

to succeed in overcoming a difficult or dangerous situation

"They will come through."

"Despite facing overwhelming odds and extreme danger, the rescue team managed to come through and save all the stranded hikers."

comeback /ˈkʌmˌbæk/ noun

a return by a renowned person to their former popular or successful state

"The comeback was impressive"

"The team’s comeback was impressive after they were losing by a large margin in the first half"

conquer /ˈkɑŋkər/ verb

to dominate a place by becoming very popular or successful

"They conquer the market."

"The innovative startup quickly began to conquer the market with its disruptive technology and user-friendly interface."

consolidate /kənˈsɑlɪˌdeɪt/ verb

to strengthen a position of power or success so that it lasts longer

"The company consolidated its market position."

"The new leader worked to consolidate his power by forming alliances with key political figures."

crown /kraʊn/ verb

to complete or perfect something, particularly by adding an accomplishment, a success, etc.

"It will crown his career."

"Winning the Nobel Peace Prize will undoubtedly crown his lifelong dedication to humanitarian efforts and global diplomacy."

cruise /kruz/ verb

to win or achieve something with little or no effort

"She will cruise to victory."

"With his talent, he was expected to cruise through the initial stages of the competition."

Gaining Success

distinguish /dɪˈstɪŋgwɪʃ/ verb

to make something conspicuous or noteworthy by discerning it

"Distinguish the good from bad."

"A keen eye for detail will distinguish the truly exceptional artist from the merely competent."

enterprise /ˈɛnərˌpraɪz/ noun

a quality that drives someone to undertake daring or innovative projects

"He has enterprise."

"Her boundless enterprise led her to launch a groundbreaking startup in a challenging market."

equal /ˈikwəl/ adjective

possessing the necessary qualities, skills, or resources to meet a challenge or task

"Are you equal to this?"

"Despite the daunting challenges, she felt perfectly equal to the task ahead of her."

favorability /ˌfævərəˈbɪlɪti/ noun

an ability to make something likely to succeed or have an advantage by being good at it

"The favorability is high."

"The project's inherent favorability was evident in the overwhelming support it received from investors."

favorably /ˈfeɪvərəbli/ adverb

in a manner that promotes success, effectiveness, or advantage

"He spoke favorably."

"The new policy was implemented favorably, leading to increased productivity and employee satisfaction."

flash in the pan /flˈæʃ ɪnðə pˈæn/ phrase

a sudden but brief success that is not sustained

"He was a flash in the pan."

"The young singer was just a flash in the pan because nobody remembers her songs from last year."

flourish /ˈflɝːɪʃ/ verb

to quickly grow in a successful way

"This plant flourishes in direct sunlight."

"The small business flourished under the new management because they introduced innovative products and excellent customer service."

flower /flaʊər/ verb

to develop or grow in a successful manner

"Ideas flower."

"Given the right conditions, even the most nascent ideas have the potential to flower into great successes."

foothold /ˈfʊtˌhoʊɫd/ noun

an early achievement paves the way for future progress

"The company gained a foothold."

"This initial success provided a crucial foothold for the company's expansion into new markets."

forge /fɔrʤ/ verb

to try hard to make something successful, strong, or lasting

"Forge a strong bond."

"They worked tirelessly to forge a lasting partnership built on mutual respect and shared goals."

fruition /fruˈɪʃən/ noun

the condition or action of bearing or producing fruit

"The plan is in fruition."

"After years of dedicated cultivation, the orchard finally reached its full fruition, bearing abundant fruit."

fulfill /fʊɫˈfɪɫ/ verb

to accomplish or do something that was wished for, expected, or promised

"He needs to fulfill his dreams."

"Volunteering at the local shelter helped her fulfill her desire to give back to the community."

fulfillment /fʊlˈfɪlmənt/ noun

the act of doing something that one had intended or promised to do

"The fulfillment of the promise."

"The successful completion of the project represented the ultimate fulfillment of his lifelong ambition."

Success and Development

get on /gɪt ɔn/ verb

to reach great success, particularly in one's career or life

"He will get on."

"With her ambition and dedication, she was destined to get on in the competitive world of finance."

get through /ɡɛt θɹˈuː/ verb

to succeed in passing or enduring a difficult experience or period

"We will get through this together."

"I need to get through this pile of paperwork before the end of the business day."

glittering /ˈglɪtərɪŋ/ adjective

extremely impressive or notably successful in a way that shines or stands out

"A glittering career."

"Her glittering career as a renowned scientist was marked by groundbreaking discoveries and international acclaim."

go far /goʊ fɑr/ phrase

to achieve much success

"She will go far."

"With her sharp intellect and unwavering determination, that young musician is certain to go far in her career."

happy /ˈhæpi/ adjective

having good fortune or being favored by luck

"He is happy."

"The team felt happy to have secured such a significant victory against formidable opponents."

huge /juʤ/ adjective

very successful or popular, often used informally to describe something or someone expected to achieve great success

"That is huge!"

"The debut novel was a huge success, captivating readers and critics alike with its compelling narrative."

joy /ʤɔɪ/ noun

the success or satisfaction gained through doing something

"What joy!"

"The sheer joy of finally achieving a long-sought goal was palpable to everyone involved."

Growth and Achievement

land /lænd/ verb

to succeed in something, such as getting a job, achieving something, etc.

"She will land the job."

"After countless interviews, she was thrilled to finally land the prestigious position she had always desired."

tonotlook back /tonotlook* bæk/ phrase

to achieve rapid or exceptional success, often continuing to improve without pause

"She did not look back."

"Having achieved remarkable success in her initial ventures, she continued to innovate and expand without looking back."

lucky /ˈləki/ adjective

getting benefits through random chance and not intention

"It was lucky."

"Winning the lottery was a purely lucky event, providing him with unexpected financial security."

make /meɪk/ verb

to contribute significantly to the completeness or success of someone or something

"You make this."

"Her thoughtful contributions will greatly make the entire presentation more impactful and persuasive."

manage /ˈmænɪʤ/ verb

to do something difficult successfully

"She can manage it."

"Despite numerous setbacks, the determined entrepreneur managed to successfully launch her innovative new business."

Prosperity and Success

nail /ˈneɪɫ/ verb

to easily succeed at doing something

"You will nail the test."

"With thorough preparation and a clear understanding of the material, she is sure to nail the presentation."

narrow /ˈnɛroʊ/ adjective

having a small difference or close proximity in various context

"The road is very narrow."

"The margin of victory was incredibly narrow, decided by a single vote."

notch /nɑʧ/ verb

to successfully get or achieve something

"She will notch a goal."

"The determined athlete was able to notch several significant achievements in her career."

nurture /ˈnɝtʃɝ/ verb

to help something develop, grow, evolve, etc.

"Parents nurture their children's talents."

"Good parents nurture their children's natural curiosity by encouraging them to explore the world and ask questions freely."

on the up and up /ɔn ðə əp ənd əp/ phrase

becoming increasingly successful with the passage of time

"He is on the up and up."

"Her career has been on the up and up since she joined the innovative startup."

open sesame /ˈoʊpən ˈsɛsəmi/ noun

something that makes achieving a certain thing very easy

"This is an open sesame."

"Knowing the right people proved to be the open sesame to the exclusive club."

own /oʊn/ verb

to dominate or defeat an opponent, especially in gaming

"I will own you."

"The experienced player will easily own the novice in their first competitive match."

passport /ˈpæˌspɔrt/ noun

a thing that helps one achieve something or makes something possible

"It is a passport."

"Her fluency in multiple languages served as a passport to international opportunities."

pay off /peɪ ɔf/ verb

(of a plan or action) to succeed and have good results

"The plan will pay off."

"We are confident that all the sacrifices made will eventually pay off handsomely."

peak /pik/ noun

the topmost point on a graph that indicates the highest level reached during a progression or development

"The graph reached its peak."

"The stock market graph showed a significant peak before experiencing a sharp decline in value."

practical /ˈpræktɪkəl/ adjective

(of a method, idea, or plan) likely to be successful or effective

"Your idea is practical."

"The practical solution was to buy a cheaper car and save the rest of the money."

practicality /ˌpræktɪˈkæləti/ noun

the quality that makes something suitable or likely to succeed

"This has practicality."

"We must consider the practicality of the proposed solution before implementation."

premier /prɪˈmɪr/ adjective

considered most successful or important, particularly compared to others

"This is a premier event."

"The premier university in the country attracts students from all over the world who want to study with famous professors."

prevail /prɪˈveɪl/ verb

to prove that an opinion, idea, etc. is superior and make it become accepted by others, particularly after a dispute or struggle

"Truth will prevail."

"After much debate, the scientific community's consensus began to prevail over older theories."

Seeking Success

progress /ˈprɑːɡrɛs/ noun

gradual movement toward a goal or a desired state

"She is making good progress at school."

"Technological progress has fundamentally transformed human civilization over the last century."

progress /ˈprɑːɡrɛs/ verb

to develop into a more advanced or improved stage

"The project continues to progress well."

"The construction project is expected to progress smoothly now that the weather has improved significantly."

promote /prəˈmoʊt/ verb

to help or support the progress or development of something

"They promote equality."

"The organization works tirelessly to promote understanding and cooperation among diverse cultural communities worldwide."

pull off /pˈʊl ˈɔf/ verb

to successfully achieve or accomplish something

"He pulled off a difficult stunt."

"The magician managed to pull off an incredible trick that left the entire audience amazed and confused."

pursue /pərˈsu/ verb

to try and seek something and engage in it in order to achieve one's goal

"We will pursue it."

"She decided to pursue her passion for art despite the financial risks involved."

realize /ˈriəˌlaɪz/ verb

to make a desired outcome come true

"We realize dreams."

"He worked tirelessly to realize his lifelong ambition of becoming a published author."

result /rɪˈzəlt/ noun

(plural) things that are achieved with great effort or skill

"These are results."

"The meticulous research produced impressive results that advanced the field of medicine."

rise /raɪz/ verb

to achieve a better life or job position

"I will rise."

"She hoped to rise to a leadership position within the rapidly growing company."

score /skɔr/ verb

to gain an advantage that makes one ultimately succeed

"We score points."

"The unexpected goal allowed the underdog team to score a crucial advantage."

secret /ˈsiːkrɪt/ noun

the most effective or proven method of achieving something

"The secret to success."

"Her secret to success was consistent practice and unwavering dedication to her craft."

secure /sɪˈkjʊr/ verb

to reach or gain a particular thing, typically requiring significant amount of effort

"He secures the prize."

"The company worked hard to secure a large contract with a major international client last month."

shot /ʃɑt/ noun

any attempt or effort made in order to achieve something or get something done

"This is a shot."

"Every shot at breaking the world record requires immense dedication and physical endurance."

Victory and Prosperity

stroke /stroʊk/ noun

any successful action, achievement, or fortunate event

"It was a stroke."

"Winning the lottery was a fortunate stroke that changed his entire life."

strong /strɔŋ/ adjective

having a high chance to happen or succeed

"It is strong."

"Given his qualifications, his application for the scholarship is very strong."

success /səkˈsɛs/ noun

the fact of reaching what one tried for or desired

"Success takes time."

"Their success came after years of hard work and patience."

successful /səkˈsɛsfəl/ adjective

getting the results you hoped for or wanted

"The project was successful."

"Her innovative business strategy proved to be incredibly successful in the market."

swing /swɪŋ/ verb

to succeed in achieving or getting something, particularly in a dishonest way

"He will swing it."

"The clever con artist managed to swing the valuable artifact from the unsuspecting collector."

take /teɪk/ verb

to work successfully or have a positive effect

"It will take."

"Hopefully, the new marketing strategy will take and boost our sales significantly."

take off /teɪk ɔf/ verb

to become famous and successful in a sudden and rapid manner

"He will take off."

"The young singer's debut album was so successful that she began to take off immediately."

thrive /θraɪv/ verb

to grow and develop exceptionally well

"These plants thrive in humid environments."

"The plants thrive in the warm humid climate of the greenhouse where they are protected from frost and cold winds."

top /tɑp/ verb

to hold the highest position on a list or ranking due to success or achievements

"She tops the chart."

"The talented young artist managed to top the music charts with her debut single."

turn around /tərn əraʊnd/ verb

to cause a significant and positive change in something

"We will turn around."

"The new CEO has a plan to turn around the struggling company's fortunes."

Attaining Success

viable /ˈvaɪəbəɫ/ adjective

having the ability to be executed or done successfully

"The plan is viable."

"The startup needs a viable business plan before investors will give them any money."

walk into /wɔk ˈɪntu/ verb

to easily get a job or position, particularly undeservedly

"He will walk into that job."

"Given his connections, he was expected to easily walk into a senior management position."

waltz /wɔlts/ verb

to achieve or complete something with ease

"She can waltz through this."

"With her extensive experience, she could waltz through the entire complex process."

win /wɪn/ verb

to become the most successful, the luckiest, or the best in a game, race, fight, etc.

"The team wins the championship trophy easily."

"The young athlete trained hard for many years hoping to win a gold medal at the Olympic Games representing her country with pride."

win out /wɪn aʊt/ verb

to succeed with great difficulty

"They will win out."

"Despite numerous setbacks, the determined team managed to win out in the end."

work out /wərk aʊt/ verb

to conclude in a positive outcome

"It will work out well."

"We are confident that all our efforts will eventually work out to our advantage."

Success Recognized

accolade /ˈækəˌɫeɪd/ noun

a mark of recognition for excellence or accomplishment, often in the form of a title, medal, or public acknowledgment

"She received major accolade."

"She received a major accolade for her outstanding contribution to literature and education in the country."

accredit /əˈkrɛˌdɪt/ verb

to certify that something or someone is of a specific quality or standard

"They accredit the school."

"The university was officially accredit by the national board for its excellent academic programs."

boast /ˈboʊst/ verb

to talk with excessive pride about one's achievements, abilities, etc. in order to draw the attention of others

"He boasts about his wealth constantly."

"The young man liked to boast about his accomplishments but his friends found his constant bragging annoying and tiresome."

congratulations /kənˌɡɹætʃəˈɫeɪʃənz/ interjection

used to express joy, admiration, or praise for someone's achievements, successes, or happy occasions

"Congratulations! You passed the test!"

"Congratulations! You passed the test with flying colors. Your hard work really paid off today."

credit /ˈkrɛdɪt/ noun

formal approval, acknowledgment, or commendation

"Give him credit."

"She deserves considerable credit for her innovative approach to solving the problem."

hat trick /hˈæt tɹˈɪk/ noun

(in some sports) an occasion in which a player manages to score three times in a single game of soccer, hockey, etc.

"The striker scores a hat trick with three goals."

"The forward scored a hat trick with three goals in the same match."

laugh /læf/ verb

to be in a successful or fortunate position, particularly as a result of doing something successfully

"She can laugh now."

"After finishing the marathon, she could laugh at the incredible difficulty she had overcome."

Acknowledging Achievements

recognize /ˈrɛkəgˌnaɪz/ verb

to officially express gratitude or appreciation of someone's deeds or achievements

"We recognize his work."

"The committee will formally recognize the outstanding contributions of the volunteers at the ceremony."

respect /rɪˈspɛkt/ noun

admiration for someone or something because of their achievements, qualities, etc.

"Respect is important."

"He showed respect to everyone in the room and listened carefully to their opinions."

self-satisfied /self-satisfied*/ adjective

characterized by excessive satisfaction with one's abilities or achievements

"He is self-satisfied."

"His self-satisfied smirk indicated that he believed he had already won the competition."

stature /ˈstæʧər/ noun

the high level of respect people have for someone based on their impressive achievements

"Her stature is high."

"The scientist's immense stature in the field was built upon decades of groundbreaking research."

toast /toʊst/ noun

the act of raising a glass, usually filled with alcohol, in honor of someone or to wish them health, happiness, or success

"Let's have a toast."

"He raised his glass for a toast to the newlyweds' future happiness and prosperity."

Success on the Way

augur /ˈɔgər/ verb

to signal or suggest whether something is likely to have a good or bad result

"This will augur well."

"The early positive reviews seem to augur well for the film's box office success."

bright /braɪt/ adjective

(of someone or something's future) likely to be successful and very good

"Her future is bright."

"With her exceptional talent and dedication, the young artist has a very bright future ahead of her."

fancy /ˈfænsi/ verb

to believe that a contestant has a good chance of winning

"I fancy him winning."

"Based on his recent performance, I fancy him to win the championship title this year."

future /fˈjuʧər/ noun

the great possibility of someone or something reaching great success or continuing to survive

"The future is bright."

"The young entrepreneur's innovative ideas showed great future for the struggling company."

onone'sside /onone'sside*/ phrase

used for saying that something is advantageous to one as it makes achieving success much easier

"Luck is on my side."

"Having the wind at our backs was definitely on our side, making the arduous journey much easier."

hopeful /ˈhoʊpfəl/ adjective

(of a person) having a positive attitude and believing that good things are likely to happen

"I feel hopeful."

"I feel hopeful that the new medicine will cure the disease and save many lives."

over-optimistic /ˌoʊvɚɹˌɑːptɪmˈɪstɪk/ adjective

(of a person) being unreasonably confident or hopeful that something will succeed or happen

"He is over-optimistic about the future."

"He is over optimistic about the future and thinks he will become a millionaire without working hard."

promise /ˈprɑməs/ noun

an assurance or declaration indicating the possible success or occurrence of something in the future

"It is a promise."

"The rapid development of the technology offers a strong promise of a more sustainable future."

rosy /ˈroʊzi/ adjective

indicating or predicting a favorable outcome or good fortune

"The outlook is rosy."

"With the new funding secured, the project's future looks exceptionally rosy and promising."

tip /tɪp/ verb

to predict or indicate on the likely success, outcome, or winner of something

"I tip him to win."

"The experienced commentator will tip the underdog to cause a major upset in the final match."

Successful People and Things

ace /eɪs/ noun

an individual recognized for exceptional ability or performance in a particular field

"He is an ace."

"She is an absolute ace pilot, capable of handling any difficult situation with remarkable skill."

demigod /ˈdɛmiˌɡɑd/ noun

a person who is respected or admired like a god by other people

"He is a demigod."

"The legendary athlete was treated like a demigod by his adoring fans."

golden oldie /ˈgoʊldən ˈoʊldi/ noun

an old person who still achieves success in a specific field or career

"He is a golden oldie."

"Despite his age, the legendary musician proved he was still a golden oldie by delivering an electrifying performance."

great /greɪt/ noun

a person who is very successful and famous

"She is a great."

"The renowned author is considered a great in literary circles for her profound and influential novels."

hit /hɪt/ noun

someone or something that is extremely popular

"That song is a hit."

"Her latest album quickly became a massive hit, topping charts worldwide."

hotshot /ˈhɑˌʃɑt/ noun

someone who is extraordinarily successful and talented at what they do

"The hotshot rookie scored twenty points."

"The hotshot lawyer thought he was too good to work on small cases for ordinary people."

hotshot /ˈhɑˌʃɑt/ adjective

exceptionally skillful and successful, especially at a sport or in a business

"He is a hotshot player."

"The young entrepreneur quickly became a hotshot in the competitive world of tech startups."

ideal /aɪˈdil/ noun

a perfect or most desirable goal, standard, or principle that people aim to achieve

"She has an ideal."

"Achieving world peace remains the ultimate ideal for many humanitarian organizations."

inspiration /ˌɪnspərˈeɪʃən/ noun

a person, idea, or thing that motivates or influences someone positively

"She is inspiration."

"Her tireless work ethic and positive attitude served as a powerful inspiration to the entire team."

indian summer /ˈɪndiən ˈsəmər/ noun

a late phase of success, happiness, or vitality, especially after a period of decline or inactivity

"It was an indian summer."

"After a difficult period, the company experienced an indian summer of renewed profitability and growth."

Icons of Success

pinnacle /ˈpɪnəkəɫ/ noun

a part of something that is considered the most prominent or successful

"Reaching the summit was the pinnacle of his career."

"She worked very hard to reach the pinnacle of her profession after many years."

prime /praɪm/ noun

the period during which someone or something is at their best in terms of achieving success or physical state

"This is his prime."

"The athlete was in his prime when he won the championship, performing at peak physical condition."

productive /prəˈdʌktɪv/ adjective

producing desired results through effective and efficient use of time, resources, and effort

"The meeting was productive."

"The meeting was very productive and we managed to finish all of the items on our agenda before lunchtime today."

sleeper /ˈsɫipɝ/ noun

a movie, novel, play, etc. that is initially underappreciated, but gains sudden and unexpected success later on

"Sleeper becomes hit unexpectedly."

"The horror film was a sleeper that earned almost nothing in its opening week but became a cult classic on video."

winner /ˈwɪnər/ noun

someone or something that is a success or probably succeeds in the future

"He is a winner."

"With her innovative ideas and strong leadership, she is sure to be a winner in this industry."

wow /waʊ/ noun

a remarkable success

"The show was a wow."

"The new product launch was a resounding wow, exceeding all sales expectations and creating significant buzz."

zenith /ˈzinəθ/, /ˈzinɪθ/ noun

a period during which someone or something reaches their most successful point

"Reached its zenith."

"The Roman Empire reached its zenith during the reign of Trajan controlling more territory than ever before or after in its long history."

Likely to Fail

ambitious /æmˈbɪʃəs/ adjective

requiring great effort or full use of one's abilities or resources in order to succeed

"It is ambitious."

"Climbing Mount Everest is an ambitious undertaking that requires extensive training and mental fortitude."

be done for /bi dən fər/ phrase

to be certain to fail because of being in an awful situation

"We are done for."

"With the unexpected storm approaching, the small boat realized it would be done for if it couldn't reach the harbor."

desperate /ˈdɛspərɪt/ adjective

(of an act) without much hope for its success and done when nothing else works

"It was desperate."

"The trapped hikers made a desperate attempt to signal for help using their last remaining flares."

flounder /ˈfɫaʊndɝ/ verb

to face great difficulties and be about to fail

"The company began to flounder financially."

"The company began to flounder after losing its largest client to a competitor with better prices."

forlorn /fərˈlɔrn/ adjective

not likely to happen or succeed

"It is forlorn."

"His chances of finding employment were forlorn after being rejected by so many companies."

gloomy /ˈɡlumi/ adjective

experiencing or expressing sadness or a general sense of unhappiness

"The weather is gloomy."

"The gloomy weather matched her mood because she was sad about moving away from her best friend."

on the rocks /ɔn ðə rɑks/ phrase

(in reference to a business or relationship) in a difficult or troubled state, and may be at risk of falling apart

"It is on the rocks."

"Their marriage had been on the rocks for months, filled with constant arguments and lack of communication."

overambitious /ˈoʊvəræmˌbɪʃəs/ adjective

(of a plan) demanding an unreasonable amount of time, energy, or money and unlikely to succeed

"It is overambitious."

"The plan to build a city in the desert within a year was wildly overambitious and doomed to fail."

over-optimistic /over-optimistic*/ adjective

showing unreasonable confidence or hopefulness for the occurrence or success of something, even though the opposite is proved to be the case by later events

"He is over-optimistic."

"Despite the clear evidence of a declining market, the CEO remained over-optimistic about the company's future prospects."

pious /paɪəs/ adjective

(of a wish or hope) sincere and well-intentioned, yet unrealistic or unlikely to be fulfilled

"It is a pious wish."

"Her pious wish for a peaceful resolution was admirable, but unlikely to materialize given the ongoing conflict."

rocky /ˈrɑki/ adjective

characterized by difficulty or challenges, often used to describe a situation or experience

"It was rocky."

"The initial phase of the project was rocky, with unexpected technical difficulties and budget overruns."

shaky /ˈʃeɪki/ adjective

uncertain about the exact details of something

"His story is shaky."

"Her alibi for the night of the crime was shaky, with several inconsistencies in her account."

struggle /ˈstrəgəl/ noun

a strenuous effort, especially involving difficulty or exertion

"It was a struggle."

"The small business faced a constant struggle for survival in the highly competitive economic climate."

wildcat /ˈwaɪldˌkæt/ adjective

(of a plan, project, etc.) not carefully thought-out and therefore unlikely to succeed

"It is a wildcat."

"His wildcat scheme to get rich quick was based on flimsy evidence and lacked any realistic planning."

Causing or Accepting Failure

cost /kɔst/ verb

to cause the loss of something, often valuable, or a negative outcome resulting from a particular action or decision

"It will cost time."

"The hasty decision to expand without proper planning will undoubtedly cost the company dearly in the long run."

damper /ˈdæmpər/ noun

something or someone that has an inhibiting influence on a particular thing and makes it less successful, pleasant, etc.

"It was a damper."

"The sudden increase in taxes acted as a damper on consumer spending, slowing down economic growth."

defeat /dɪˈfit/ verb

to prevent something from succeeding

"They will defeat us."

"The opposing team's superior strategy and skill were able to defeat our best efforts to win the game."

deficiency /dɪˈfɪʃənsi/ noun

a flaw, weakness, or shortcoming that reduces the effectiveness, quality, or completeness of something

"Vitamin deficiency causes problem."

"A vitamin D deficiency can cause weak bones and increase the risk of fractures."

enemy /ˈɛnəmi/ noun

something that harms or hinders one's success

"Laziness is his enemy."

"Procrastination can be a significant enemy to academic success and personal growth."

frustrate /ˈfrəˌstreɪt/ verb

to prevent someone from achieving success, particularly by nullifying their efforts

"Rain will frustrate the game."

"The constant bureaucratic hurdles seemed designed to frustrate any genuine attempts at reform."

let down /lˈɛt dˈaʊn/ verb

to make someone disappointed by not meeting their expectations

"Do not let down your team."

"I know you trusted me completely but I did not mean to let you down."

odds /ɑdz/ noun

circumstances that make it difficult to achieve something

"The odds are against us."

"Despite the overwhelming odds, the determined team managed to achieve victory against all expectations."

scuttle /ˈskətəl/ verb

to intentionally cause something such as a plan to fail

"He will scuttle the plan."

"The opposition party attempted to scuttle the new legislation by proposing numerous amendments."

sink /sɪŋk/ verb

to do something that prevents someone or something from achieving success

"This will sink the project."

"A lack of funding and poor management choices ultimately served to sink the ambitious startup."

spoiler /ˈspɔɪlər/ noun

a person or thing that tries to prevent someone or something from succeeding

"He is a spoiler."

"The rival candidate acted as a spoiler in the election, drawing votes away from the frontrunner."

undo /ənˈdu/ verb

to cause someone or something to get ruined or destroyed

"This will undo us."

"A single catastrophic event could undo years of painstaking progress and development."

abort /əˈbɔɹt/ verb

to stop and end a process before it finishes

"The mission had to be aborted."

"The mission had to be aborted due to a technical malfunction in the rocket's engine shortly after launch."

Resulting in Failure

backfire /ˈbækˌfaɪɹ/ verb

to have a result contrary to what one desired or intended

"His plan backfired and caused more problems."

"His plan to embarrass his coworker completely backfired and ended up making him look foolish instead in front of everyone."

badly /ˈbædli/ adverb

in a way that is not satisfactory, acceptable, or successful

"He played badly."

"The team performed badly in the championship game, making numerous unforced errors."

barren /ˈbɛrən/ adjective

completely lacking or devoid of something

"The land is barren."

"The desert landscape was utterly barren, devoid of any vegetation or signs of life."

bite the dust /baɪt ðə dəst/ phrase

to completely fail, lose, or stop functioning

"The car will bite the dust."

"After decades of loyal service, the old household appliance finally bit the dust."

breakdown /ˈbreɪkdaʊn/ noun

a failure in the progress or effectiveness of a relationship or system

"Their relationship had a breakdown."

"The constant arguments led to a complete breakdown in communication, making reconciliation seem impossible for the couple."

break down /bɹˈeɪk dˈaʊn/ verb

(of a relationship, negotiation, etc.) to fail to function properly

"The talks will break down."

"The old car finally broke down on the highway forcing us to call a tow truck for help."

choke /ʧoʊk/ verb

to perform poorly or fail unexpectedly when winning or favored to win

"He will choke."

"The star player seemed to choke under the immense pressure of the championship game."

collapse /kəˈlæps/ verb

to experience a sudden and complete failure

"The building could collapse anytime."

"The old building collapsed suddenly because its foundation had been weakened by years of neglect and water damage."

crumble /ˈkrəmbəl/ verb

to make something break up into smaller pieces

"The wall will crumble."

"The ancient ruins would often crumble further after prolonged exposure to harsh weather conditions."

crumble /ˈkɹəmbəɫ/ verb

to become weak or begin to fail

"His resolve began to crumble."

"The old sandstone building began to crumble after years of neglect and exposure to harsh weather conditions."

disqualify /dɪˈskwɑləˌfaɪ/ verb

to make someone or something not fit or suitable for a particular position or activity

"They disqualify the bad player."

"They decided to disqualify the runner for starting before the official signal was given."

disastrous /dɪˈzæstrəs/ adjective

extremely unsuccessful, unfortunate, or poorly executed

"The result was disastrous."

"The decision to invest all their money in one company proved disastrous when the business went bankrupt and they lost everything."

Unsuccessful Outcomes

elude /ɪˈlud/ verb

to remain unattainable or beyond reach

"The goal will elude him."

"Despite his best efforts, true happiness seemed to elude him throughout his life."

fallow /ˈfæˌloʊ/ adjective

(of a period of time) unproductive and empty of achievements

"This year is fallow."

"After a period of intense creative output, the artist experienced a fallow season."

fatal /ˈfeɪtəl/ adjective

causing severe harm or complete failure

"The accident was fatal."

"The fatal accident on the highway killed three people and injured five others who were taken to the hospital."

fatally /ˈfeɪtəɫi/ adverb

in a way that results in an absolute failure or disaster

"The plan failed fatally."

"The project failed fatally due to poor planning and execution, leading to a complete disaster for the company."

flop /flɑp/ verb

(of a play, motion picture, or new product) to fail to be of any success or produce the intended effect

"The play will flop."

"Despite the initial hype, the experimental film was predicted to flop due to its confusing narrative."

fluff /fləf/ verb

to completely fail at doing or achieving something

"She will fluff the test."

"He managed to fluff his lines during the crucial presentation, much to his embarrassment."

frustrated /ˈfrʌstreɪtɪd/ adjective

(of a person) incapable of achieving success in a specific profession

"The artist felt frustrated."

"Despite his best efforts, the aspiring actor remained frustrated, unable to secure a leading role in any production."

frustration /frəˈstreɪʃən/ noun

the act of preventing someone from achieving their goals or seeing the result of their efforts

"His frustration grew."

"The constant frustration of unanswered emails and unfulfilled promises led to significant dissatisfaction."

fail /feɪl/ verb

to be unsuccessful in accomplishing something

"Do not be afraid to fail."

"Even the most successful entrepreneurs fail sometimes but they learn valuable lessons from their mistakes."

fall /fɔl/ noun

the downfall, loss, or defeat of someone or something, often irreversible

"It was a fall."

"The sudden fall of the stock market caused widespread panic and economic instability."

tofallby the wayside /tofallby* ðə ˈweɪˌsaɪd/ phrase

to fail to keep on doing something

"He will tofallby the wayside."

"Many promising projects tend to fall by the wayside due to insufficient funding or changing priorities."

Failed Attempts

reversal /rɪˈvərsəl/ noun

a failure or problem that prevents someone or something from further success

"This is a reversal."

"The unexpected legal challenge represented a significant reversal for the company's expansion plans."

strike out /stɹˈaɪk ˈaʊt/ verb

to not succeed in doing or accomplishing something

"He struck out."

"Despite his best efforts to secure funding, he ultimately struck out on his business venture."

unravel /ənˈrævəl/ verb

(of a scheme, system, organization, etc.) to begin to fail or fall apart

"The plan will unravel."

"As the investigation proceeded, the intricate conspiracy began to unravel."

unfulfilled /ˌənfʊɫˈfɪɫd/ adjective

indicating a goal, wish, etc. that has not been accomplished, carried out, or come true

"Her dream is unfulfilled."

"Despite her many achievements, she still felt a sense of unfulfilled potential in her personal life."

vain /veɪn/ adjective

not producing any successful outcome

"His efforts are vain."

"Despite numerous attempts, their search for a solution proved entirely vain."

wasted /ˈweɪstɪd/ adjective

suggesting that something is used ineffectively and does not produce the intended result

"The time is wasted."

"His lengthy and unproductive speech felt like a wasted opportunity to convey essential information."

Disappointing Results

hopelessly /ˈhoʊpɫəsɫi/ adverb

used to stress that a situation cannot be improved or corrected

"He was hopelessly lost in the city."

"He was hopelessly lost in the city and had to ask several strangers for directions before he finally found his way back to the hotel."

hopeless /ˈhoʊpləs/ adjective

(of a plan, situation, etc.) prone to fail

"This plan is hopeless."

"Despite our best efforts, the situation remained utterly hopeless, with no viable solutions in sight."

implode /ˌɪmˈpɫoʊd/ verb

(of a system, organization, etc.) to experience a sudden or dramatic failure

"The company will implode."

"Without proper management and financial support, the entire organization was destined to implode."

inauspicious /ˌɪˌnaʊˈspɪʃɪs/ adjective

suggesting that something bad is likely to happen

"The sky was inauspicious."

"The inauspicious beginning of the project foreshadowed the significant challenges that lay ahead."

implode /ˌɪmˈploʊd/ verb

to bring about the destruction of a system, organization, etc.

"He will implode the company."

"The corrupt leadership threatened to implode the once-thriving organization from within."

ineffective /ˌɪnɪˈfɛktɪv/ adjective

not achieving the desired outcome or intended result

"The medicine is ineffective."

"The ineffective treatment did not improve the patient's condition and the doctors decided to try a different medication instead."

insuperable /insuperable*/ adjective

(of a difficulty or problem) so severe that it cannot be solved easily

"The problem is insuperable."

"They faced an insuperable obstacle that seemed impossible to overcome."

languish /ˈɫæŋɡwɪʃ/ verb

to fail to be successful or make any progress

"The prisoner languished in jail for years."

"The talented actor continued to languish in obscurity for many years before finally getting his big break in Hollywood."

lose /luːz/ verb

to not win in a race, fight, game, etc.

"They might lose the game."

"If you do not practice regularly you may lose the skills you have already developed over time."

miscarry /mɪskˈæɹi/ verb

to fail to achieve a desired outcome

"The plan could miscarry at any point."

"The plan could miscarry if any of the team members fail to complete their assigned tasks on time."

misfire /mɪsˈfaɪɝ/ verb

(of a plan) to fail to have the intended result

"The plan misfired badly."

"The ambitious plan to launch the product early seemed to misfire due to unforeseen logistical problems."

miss /mɪs/ verb

to fail to do something, or to omit or overlook something that should have been done

"I miss the train."

"The diligent student would never miss an opportunity to learn and improve his skills."

Unsuccessful People or Things

bomb /bɔm/ verb

(of a movie, play, etc.) to fail disastrously

"The movie will bomb."

"Unfortunately, the ambitious new play was expected to bomb due to poor reviews."

bomb /bɔm/ noun

an absolute failure

"The party was a bomb."

"After the disastrous product launch, the entire event was considered a complete bomb."

car crash /kɑr kræʃ/ noun

a sudden and dramatic failure or setback

"That was a car crash."

"The sudden market downturn proved to be a significant car crash for many small businesses."

close call /klˈoʊs kˈɔːl/ noun

a situation where there is an equal chance for one to fail or succeed

"That was a close call."

"That car was a close call and the driver swerved just in time to avoid a crash."

collapse /kəˈlæps/ noun

(of a system, organization, etc.) a sudden and abrupt failure

"The system suffered collapse."

"The unexpected economic crisis led to the rapid collapse of several major financial institutions."

disaster /dɪˈzæstər/ noun

someone or something that is a total failure

"He is a disaster."

"The inexperienced chef proved to be a disaster in the kitchen, burning every dish."

dog /dɔg/ noun

a product, movie, etc. characterized by having an extremely poor quality

"This movie is a dog."

"Critics universally panned the poorly written and acted film, calling it an absolute dog."

fail /feɪl/ noun

a mistake or unsuccessful act

"That was a fail."

"If you fail to submit the assignment on time your final grade will be reduced significantly."

failure /ˈfeɪljɚ/ noun

the absence of success in achieving a goal

"Failure teaches lessons."

"The failure of the plan forced them to try a different approach."

fiasco /fiˈæskoʊ/ noun

a total failure that is often embarrassing

"The event was a fiasco."

"The poorly organized conference ended in an embarrassing fiasco with no clear outcomes."

instability /ˌɪnstəˈbɪlɪti/ noun

a state in which unexpected change or failure is probable

"There is instability here."

"The region's political instability made long-term economic development extremely difficult."

Unsuccessful Entities

lame duck /lˈeɪm dˈʌk/ noun

someone or something that is unsuccessful and in need of help

"The project is a lame duck."

"The struggling startup, a true lame duck, desperately needed a new investor to survive."

loss /lɔs/ noun

defeat in a contest, race, or game

"They suffered a loss."

"Despite a valiant effort, the team experienced a heartbreaking loss in the championship game."

loser /ˈluzər/ noun

an uncool, unsuccessful, or contemptible person

"He is a loser."

"The arrogant businessman was widely regarded as a contemptible loser by his peers."

meltdown /ˈmɛltˌdaʊn/ noun

a disastrous failure or collapse of a system, plan, or situation

"The plan had a meltdown."

"The project manager feared a complete meltdown after the critical server failure."

own goal /oʊn goʊl/ noun

an action that accidentally harms one's own interests

"That was an own goal."

"His impulsive decision to criticize the boss was an own goal that jeopardized his promotion."

reverse /rɪˈvərs/ noun

a problem or failure that prevents someone or something from achieving further success

"The policy caused a reverse."

"The unexpected regulatory changes represented a significant reverse for the company's expansion plans."

turkey /ˈtərki/ noun

a failure, especially a failed film, play, or project

"The play was a turkey."

"Despite the hype, the ambitious film project turned out to be a critical and commercial turkey."

write-off /write-off*/ noun

a period of time in which one fails to accomplish anything

"This week was a write-off."

"After the illness, the following month was a complete write-off in terms of productivity."

Determination

goal /goʊl/ noun

our purpose or desired result

"My goal is to win."

"Their primary goal was to secure funding for the innovative research project they had developed."

grand /grænd/ adjective

(of a goal or plan) impressive and ambitious, requiring significant effort and resources to achieve

"It is a grand goal."

"Establishing a colony on Mars represents a grand and incredibly ambitious long-term objective."

grasp /græsp/ noun

the ability or skill to achieve or accomplish a goal

"He has the grasp."

"With her exceptional grasp of complex theories, she quickly excelled in her field."

heroic /hɪˈroʊɪk/ adjective

displaying great bravery as that of a hero or heroine

"His act was heroic."

"The heroic soldier saved his comrades by throwing himself on a grenade and sacrificing his own life to protect them."

hopeful /ˈhoʊpfəl/ noun

someone who aspires to be successful in something

"She is a hopeful."

"As a hopeful candidate, he tirelessly worked to gain public support and win the election."

investment /ˌɪnˈvɛstmənt/ noun

the commitment of non-monetary resources to a project with the expectation of a beneficial outcome

"This is an investment."

"The successful completion of the project was a significant investment of time and resources."

invest /ˌɪnˈvɛst/ verb

to devote a lot of effort, time, etc. to something from which one expects to achieve a good result

"We must invest."

"To achieve her career goals, she decided to invest significant effort into her professional development."

objective /əbˈdʒɛktɪv/ noun

a goal that one wants to achieve

"The main objective is to reduce costs."

"The main objective is to reduce costs by twenty percent while maintaining the same quality level."

overambitious /ˈoʊvəræmˌbɪʃəs/ adjective

striving to achieve wealth, power, success, etc. in a way that is not reasonable or possible

"That is overambitious."

"His plan to become a billionaire by next year seemed wildly overambitious and unrealistic."

Motivation

positive /ˈpɑzətɪv/ adjective

achieving success or progress

"The result was positive."

"The company reported a significantly positive financial quarter, exceeding all previous earnings expectations."

punch aboveone'sweight /pənʧ aboveone'sweight*/ phrase

to succeed or try to succeed in doing something that often demands more power, ability, money, etc. than one has

"He punched above his weight."

"Despite facing much larger competitors, the small startup managed to punch above its weight and secure funding."

race /reɪs/ noun

an attempt to achieve something first in a competition, contest, etc.

"It was a close race."

"The presidential race was incredibly tight, with the outcome uncertain until the final votes were counted."

race /reɪs/ verb

to compete against someone to see who is the fastest

"Let's race to the finish line."

"The two brothers decided to race each other to the end of the street and back to see who was faster."

rugged /ˈrəgəd/ adjective

(of a person) tough, resilient, and capable of handling challenging or difficult situations, even at the risk of confrontation

"He is rugged."

"The rugged mountaineer was known for his resilience in extreme conditions and unwavering determination."

seek /sik/ verb

to try to get or achieve something

"They seek peace."

"The diplomat will seek a peaceful resolution to the ongoing international conflict."

strive /straɪv/ verb

to try as hard as possible to achieve a goal

"Strive to be your best self."

"We should always strive to be better than we were yesterday instead of comparing ourselves to others."

target /ˈtɑrɡɪt/ noun

a goal that someone tries to achieve

"We reached target."

"They set a target for sales this year."

work on /wɝːk ɑn/ verb

to focus one's effort, time, or attention on something in order to achieve a particular goal

"She works on her project all day."

"I need to work on my presentation tonight because I am presenting it to the board tomorrow."

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Success And Failure English Vocabulary — Topics