# successfully

/səkˈsɛsfəɫi/ (US) · /səksˈɛsfəli/ (UK) · CEFR B1 · Adverb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/successfully
Updated: 2026-05-02

## Definition

in a way that achieves the result you wanted. You use this when you finish a task well or reach a goal.

For teachers: in a manner that achieves a desired aim or result.

## Examples

- She successfully finished the difficult race.
- The surgical team successfully performed the operation, and the patient is now recovering in a stable condition.
- By integrating diverse data sets, the researchers successfully identified the underlying cause of the phenomenon that had puzzled the scientific community for decades.

## Pitfalls

- Not "He successfully in his exam." but "He was successful in his exam." — Learners often use the adverb 'successfully' where the adjective 'successful' is required after the verb 'to be'.

## Usage notes

- Typically placed before the main verb or at the end of the clause.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.