Word
succeed
Phoneticssuc·ceed, stress on the second syllable
US/səkˈsid/
UK/səksˈiːd/
Definitions
01to achieve a goal
A2 · Elementary
v. to reach a goal or get the result you wanted after trying hard.
v. to achieve the desired aim or result; to prosper in a specific endeavour.
“After months of practice, she finally succeeded in running a full marathon.”
“Despite the initial technical setbacks, the research team succeeded in isolating the specific protein responsible for the reaction.”
Usage
The verb is intransitive and typically takes the preposition 'in' followed by a noun or gerund.
Pitfall
He succeeded to pass the exam.
He succeeded in passing the exam.
The verb 'succeed' is followed by the preposition 'in' and a gerund (-ing form), not an infinitive.
02to follow in a job
B2 · Upper Intermediate Formal
v. to take over a job or position after the person before you leaves.
v. to take over an office, title, or position from a predecessor.
“The vice president will succeed the president if he decides to retire early.”
“Upon the sudden abdication of his father, the young prince was forced to succeed to the throne during a period of intense political instability.”
Usage
Can be used transitively (succeed someone) or intransitively with 'to' (succeed to the throne).
Antonyms
03to come after in time
C1 · Advanced Academic · Formal
v. to happen or come after something else in a series.
v. to follow something in a sequence, order, or time.
“A period of heavy rain succeeded the long, dry summer.”
“The collapse of the central government was succeeded by a decade of fragmented rule by local warlords.”
Usage
Often used in the passive voice or in historical contexts to describe chronological order.
Etymology
From Old French succeder, from Latin succedere (“to go under, go from under, come under, approach, follow, take the place of, receive by succession, prosper, be successful”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.A2 KeyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.3.0–4.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 2.0–2.524–43TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.225–549
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- A2 · ElementaryOxford
- Updated
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