How to pronounce successful
Say it like suk-SES-ful. Successful has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (SES).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce successful. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- suk
- SES
- ful
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Successful pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- sukKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- SESSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- fulKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of successful
American and British speakers say successful in essentially the same way: /səkˈsɛsfəl/ in the US and /səkˈsɛsfəl/ in the UK.
British respelling: suk-SES-ful.
What does successful mean?
- having succeeded or being marked by a favorable outcome“a successful architect”“a successful business venture”
Where does successful come from?
From success + -ful.
Similar and opposite words
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with successful
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of successful.
Questions about saying successful
How do you pronounce successful?
Say suk-SES-ful. The American pronunciation is /səkˈsɛsfəl/. In British English it is /səkˈsɛsfəl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in successful?
Successful has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (SES). Broken into parts: suk · SES · ful.
Do Americans and Brits say successful the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /səkˈsɛsfəl/ and the British form is /səkˈsɛsfəl/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.