Successfully vs. Successful: What's the Difference?
Edited by Janet White || By Harlon Moss || Updated on November 9, 2023
"Successfully" is an adverb describing the manner of achieving success; "successful" is an adjective describing a state or condition of having achieved success.
Key Differences
"Successfully" is used to express the manner in which an action is completed with the desired outcome, implying that the action was done in a way that led to success. For example, "She negotiated the deal successfully." Conversely, "successful" is an adjective that describes a person, organization, or endeavor that has achieved what was aimed for. For instance, "The successful entrepreneur was featured on the cover of a magazine."
In describing an action, "successfully" serves as a lens to view the action's outcome, highlighting its effectiveness. It conveys the achievement of an objective, as in, "The team worked together and completed the project successfully." "Successful," on the other hand, is an attribute ascribed to entities that typically and repeatedly reach their goals, like in, "He is a successful author with many bestsellers."
When we evaluate the results of an endeavor, "successfully" is the term that details how the process resulted in success; it speaks to the quality of execution. For instance, "The surgeon performed the operation successfully." "Successful," however, is broader, describing the overall status of having achieved success, such as in, "The surgery was successful."
In educational contexts, "successfully" could refer to the manner in which a student accomplishes an academic task, such as, "She passed all her exams successfully." "Successful" would then describe the student's overall academic performance, like saying, "She is a successful student."
"Successfully" applies to a specific instance or instances where an action is completed with success, for instance, "The software was installed successfully." However, "successful" would pertain to the general capability or track record, as in, "The software company is successful in the tech industry."
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Comparison Chart
Part of Speech
Describes how something was done
Describes a state of being
Usage
To modify verbs
To modify nouns
Example
"She completed the task successfully."
"She is a successful manager."
Function
Adverbial; modifies actions
Attributive; modifies entities
Focus
On the process of achieving success
On the outcome or the state after success is reached
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Successfully and Successful Definitions
Successfully
Executed with the intended or desired result.
He successfully climbed the mountain on his first attempt.
Successful
Having achieved popularity, profit, or distinction.
A successful businesswoman, she was respected by her peers.
Successfully
Achieving the desired aim or result.
She successfully negotiated a raise in her salary.
Successful
Accomplishing an aim or purpose.
The successful launch of the satellite was celebrated worldwide.
Successfully
Completed according to plan.
The event was organized successfully.
Successful
Having attained wealth, position, honors, or the like.
A successful author, his books were translated into many languages.
Successfully
Resulting in the achievement of goals.
They campaigned successfully for the new policy.
Successful
Resulting in or having a favorable outcome.
After many failed attempts, the successful experiment confirmed the hypothesis.
Successfully
Having the desired effect or outcome.
The medication worked successfully.
Successful
Having a favorable outcome
A successful heart transplant.
Successfully
Having a favorable outcome
A successful heart transplant.
Successful
Having obtained something desired or intended
Was successful in stopping the leak of oil.
Successfully
Having obtained something desired or intended
Was successful in stopping the leak of oil.
Successful
Having achieved wealth or eminence
A successful architect.
Successfully
Having achieved wealth or eminence
A successful architect.
Successful
Resulting in success; assuring, or promoting, success; accomplishing what was proposed; having the desired effect
A successful use of medicine;
A successful experiment;
A successful enterprise
Successfully
In a successful manner; with success; without failing.
He successfully climbed the mountain.
They successfully completed their project together.
Successful
Resulting in success; assuring, or promotive of, success; accomplishing what was proposed; having the desired effect; hence, prosperous; fortunate; happy; as, a successful use of medicine; a successful experiment; a successful enterprise.
Welcome, nephews, from successful wars.
Successfully
In a successful manner;
She performed the surgery successfully
Successful
Having succeeded or being marked by a favorable outcome;
A successful architect
A successful business venture
Successful
Marked by favorable results.
He was successful in finding a solution to the problem.
FAQs
Can "successfully" be used to describe a person?
No, "successfully" describes the manner of action, not a person.
Can "successful" be used to describe an action?
No, "successful" describes a state or condition, not the action itself.
Is "successfully" used with verbs or nouns?
"Successfully" is used with verbs.
How does "successfully" affect the meaning of a sentence?
It emphasizes that an action was completed in a way that led to success.
How does "successful" affect the meaning of a sentence?
It describes someone or something as having achieved success.
What part of speech is "successful"?
"Successful" is an adjective.
Can "successful" be used in comparative or superlative forms?
Yes, "more successful" and "most successful" are its comparative and superlative forms.
Can "successful" stand alone in a sentence?
"Successful" can stand alone if it's referring to a noun previously mentioned or understood in the context.
What is a synonym for "successful"?
"Prosperous" is a synonym for "successful".
What part of speech is "successfully"?
"Successfully" is an adverb.
Can "successfully" stand alone in a sentence?
No, it needs a verb to modify.
Can "successfully" be used to describe a state of being?
No, it describes the execution of an action, not a state of being.
Does "successfully" indicate time?
No, it indicates the manner of action, not time.
Does "successful" indicate duration?
No, "successful" indicates a state achieved, not the duration of time.
Can "successfully" be used in all tenses?
Yes, it can modify verbs in any tense.
Is "successful" used with verbs or nouns?
"Successful" is used with nouns.
What is a synonym for "successfully"?
"Effectively" is a synonym for "successfully".
Can "successful" describe the outcome of an action?
Yes, it can describe the outcome as having achieved success.
Can "successful" be used to predict future outcomes?
It's typically used for past and present states, but can be used for future expectations with context (e.g., "She will be successful").
Can "successfully" be used in comparative or superlative forms?
No, as an adverb, it does not have comparative or superlative forms.
About Author
Written by
Harlon MossHarlon is a seasoned quality moderator and accomplished content writer for Difference Wiki. An alumnus of the prestigious University of California, he earned his degree in Computer Science. Leveraging his academic background, Harlon brings a meticulous and informed perspective to his work, ensuring content accuracy and excellence.
Edited by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
