Win vs. Victorious: What's the Difference?
By Harlon Moss & Janet White || Updated on May 28, 2024
Win means to achieve first place or succeed in a competition, while victorious means having achieved a victory, typically in a more emphatic or triumphant sense.
Key Differences
Win is a verb meaning to achieve success in a competition, game, or struggle. It is the act of defeating others and being declared the best in a specific context. Victorious, on the other hand, is an adjective describing someone who has won, emphasizing the state of having achieved victory and often carrying a sense of triumph or glory.
When you win, you attain a specific goal or come first in a contest. This term is frequently used in sports, games, and competitive scenarios. Being victorious describes the condition of having won, often highlighting the triumph and pride associated with the achievement. It conveys a sense of having overcome challenges to achieve success.
A win can be a singular event or a specific instance of success, such as winning a game or a prize. Victorious implies a broader sense of accomplishment and may suggest an ongoing state of triumph or multiple successes, often used in a more grandiose or celebratory context.
Win is commonly used in everyday language to describe successes in various areas, from personal achievements to professional goals. Victorious is used less frequently and tends to be more formal or poetic, often appearing in contexts that emphasize the emotional or dramatic aspects of winning.
Comparison Chart
Part of Speech
Verb
Adjective
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Definition
To achieve first place or succeed
Having achieved a victory
Usage
Everyday language, sports, games
More formal, emphasizes triumph and glory
Context
Specific instances of success
Overall state of having won
Emotional Connotation
Neutral to positive
Positive, triumphant, celebratory
Win and Victorious Definitions
Win
Achieve victory in a contest.
She trained hard to win the marathon.
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Victorious
Having won a victory.
The victorious team celebrated their championship win.
Win
Obtain a prize or reward.
They were thrilled to win the raffle.
Victorious
Marked by a sense of achievement and triumph.
The atmosphere was joyous and victorious after the final goal.
Win
Gain favor or support.
He managed to win over the crowd with his speech.
Victorious
Triumphant in achieving success.
She felt victorious after overcoming numerous challenges.
Win
To achieve victory or finish first in a competition.
Victorious
Characterized by or expressing victory.
The soldiers returned home victorious from the battle.
Win
To achieve success in an effort or venture
Struggled to overcome the handicap and finally won.
Victorious
Being the winner in a conflict or struggle.
He emerged victorious in the intense debate.
Win
To achieve victory or finish first in
Won the race.
Victorious
Being the winner in a contest or struggle
The victorious army.
Win
To receive as a prize or reward for performance
Won a gold medal.
Victorious
Characteristic of or expressing a sense of victory or fulfillment
A victorious cheer.
Win
To achieve or obtain by effort
Win concessions in negotiations.
Victorious
Being the winner in a contest, struggle, war, etc.
Win
To gain (respect or love, for example) by effort
Won their loyalty.
Victorious
Of or expressing a sense of victory or triumph.
The team were met with a victorious cheer.
Win
To make (one's way) with effort.
Victorious
Of or pertaining to victory, or a victor; being a victor; bringing or causing a victory; conquering; winning; triumphant; as, a victorious general; victorious troops; a victorious day.
But I shall rise victorious, and subdueMy vanquisher.
Now are our brows bound with victorious wreaths.
Win
To reach with difficulty
The ship won a safe port.
Victorious
Having won;
The victorious entry
The winning team
Win
To take in battle; capture
Won the heights after a fierce attack.
Victorious
Experiencing triumph
Win
To succeed in gaining the affection or loyalty of (someone)
He wooed and won her.
Win
To succeed in gaining the favor or support of; prevail on
Her eloquence won over the audience.
Win
To discover and open (a vein or deposit) in mining.
Win
To extract from a mine or from mined ore.
Win
A victory, especially in a competition.
Win
First place in a competition.
Win
An amount won or earned.
Win
To conquer, defeat.
Win
To reach some destination or object, despite difficulty or toil (now usually intransitive, with preposition or locative adverb).
Win
(transitive) To triumph or achieve victory in (a game, a war, etc.).
Win
(transitive) To gain (a prize) by succeeding in competition or contest.
To win the jackpot in a lottery;
To win a bottle of wine in a raffle
Win
(transitive) To obtain (someone) by wooing; to make an ally or friend of (frequently with over).
Win
(intransitive) To achieve victory.
Who would win in a fight between an octopus and a dolphin?
Win
(intransitive) To have power, coercion or control.
Ever since the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing, Bostonians now run as "One Boston." The terrorists did not win.
Win
(transitive) To obtain (something desired).
The company hopes to win an order from the government worth over 5 million dollars.
Win
(transitive) To cause a victory for someone.
The success of the economic policies should win Mr. Smith the next elections.
The policy success should win the elections for Mr. Smith.
Win
To extract (ore, coal, etc.).
Win
To defeat or surpass someone or something.
Win
To dry by exposure to the wind.
Win
An individual victory.
Our first win of the season put us in high spirits.
Win
(slang) A feat carried out successfully; a victorious achievement.
Win
(obsolete) Gain; profit; income.
Win
(obsolete) Wealth; goods owned.
Win
(Scotland) Pleasure; joy; delight.
Win
To gain by superiority in competition or contest; to obtain by victory over competitors or rivals; as, to win the prize in a gate; to win money; to win a battle, or to win a country.
Thy well-breathed horseImpels the flying car, and wins the course.
Win
To allure to kindness; to bring to compliance; to gain or obtain, as by solicitation or courtship.
Thy virtue wan me; with virtue preserve me.
She is a woman; therefore to be won.
Win
To gain over to one's side or party; to obtain the favor, friendship, or support of; to render friendly or approving; as, to win an enemy; to win a jury.
Win
To come to by toil or effort; to reach; to overtake.
Even in the porch he him did win.
And when the stony path began,By which the naked peak they wan,Up flew the snowy ptarmigan.
Win
To extract, as ore or coal.
Win
To gain the victory; to be successful; to triumph; to prevail.
Nor is it aught but justThat he, who in debate of truth hath won,should win in arms.
Win
A victory (as in a race or other competition);
He was happy to get the win
Win
Something won (especially money)
Win
Be the winner in a contest or competition; be victorious;
He won the Gold Medal in skating
Our home team won
Win the game
Win
Win something through one's efforts;
I acquired a passing knowledge of Chinese
Gain an understanding of international finance
Win
Obtain advantages, such as points, etc.;
The home team was gaining ground
After defeating the Knicks, the Blazers pulled ahead of the Lakers in the battle for the number-one playoff berth in the Western Conference
Win
Attain success or reach a desired goal;
The enterprise succeeded
We succeeded in getting tickets to the show
She struggled to overcome her handicap and won
Win
Gain through effort or merit.
He won the scholarship by excelling academically.
Win
Achieve a successful outcome.
The team worked together to win the match.
FAQs
Can you be victorious without winning?
No, being victorious specifically means having achieved a victory.
What does it mean to win?
To win means to achieve first place or success in a competition or contest.
How is victorious different from win?
Win is a verb describing the act of achieving success, while victorious is an adjective describing the state of having won.
Is win used more commonly than victorious?
Yes, win is used more commonly in everyday language, while victorious is used in more formal or emphatic contexts.
What is an example of using victorious in a sentence?
E.g., "The team was victorious after a long and difficult season."
Can win be used as an adjective?
No, win is a verb. The adjective form would be winning.
What is an example of using win in a sentence?
E.g., "She worked hard to win the championship."
Can win be used in non-competitive contexts?
Yes, win can be used to describe achieving any form of success or favorable outcome.
Does victorious have a verb form?
No, victorious is an adjective. The related verb would be to win.
How does the connotation of win differ from victorious?
Win has a straightforward, positive connotation, while victorious has a more triumphant and celebratory connotation.
Is win always competitive?
Generally, yes, win implies competition or a challenge.
What part of speech is victorious?
Victorious is an adjective.
Is victorious used in sports commentary?
Yes, but less frequently than win, and typically to emphasize the triumph of the victory.
Is victorious typically used for singular or multiple achievements?
Victorious can describe both, but it often emphasizes an overarching triumph or final victory.
Does victorious imply an emotional aspect?
Yes, victorious often implies a sense of triumph and emotion associated with the victory.
Which term is more formal, win or victorious?
Victorious is more formal.
Can win refer to gaining support or favor?
Yes, win can refer to gaining support or favor, e.g., "He won their trust."
Can win describe multiple successes?
Yes, win can describe multiple instances of success, e.g., "She has multiple wins."
Can victorious be used in non-competitive contexts?
Rarely, as it typically implies a victory over a challenge or competitor.
What part of speech is win?
Win is a verb.
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.
Co-written 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.
