Word
successor
Phoneticssuc·ces·sor, stress on the second syllable
US/səkˈsɛsɝ/
UK/səksˈɛsɐ/
Definitions
01job or title
C1 · Advanced Countable noun Formal
n. a person who takes a job or position after the previous person leaves.
n. a person who succeeds another in an office, title, or position of authority.
“The company board is currently looking for a successor to the retiring CEO.”
“The prime minister struggled to find a suitable successor who could unite the fractured party before the upcoming general election.”
Usage
Often followed by the preposition 'to'.
Synonyms
Antonyms
02mathematics
C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Mathematics Technical
n. the number that comes immediately after another number.
n. the integer, ordinal, or cardinal number immediately following a given number in a sequence.
“In the set of whole numbers, the successor of five is six.”
“The Peano axioms define natural numbers by starting with zero and applying a successor function to generate the rest of the set.”
Usage
Used as a countable noun in set theory and arithmetic.
Antonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “successor” in context.
Verb
01. appoint a successor
“The board of directors met privately to appoint a successor to the retiring CEO.”
verb + noun
02. groom a successor
“She spent three years grooming a successor to ensure a smooth transition for the department.”
verb + noun
03. name a successor
“The Prime Minister is expected to name a successor by the end of the week.”
verb + noun
Adjective
04. immediate successor
“His immediate successor reversed many of the policies implemented during the previous decade.”
adj + noun
05. likely successor
“The current Vice President is widely regarded as the most likely successor to the presidency.”
adj + noun
06. worthy successor
“The young pianist proved to be a worthy successor to the great masters of the instrument.”
adj + noun
Noun
07. search for a successor
“The university has launched a global search for a successor to the outgoing Dean.”
noun + prep + noun
08. successor to the throne
“The birth of the prince meant there was finally a direct successor to the throne.”
noun + prep + noun
Real-World Examples
“The Scottish Football Association hopes to name the Belgian Sébastien Pocognoli as the successor to Steve Clarke as manager early next week.” “From the title onwards, this retro shooter is one long homage to GoldenEye, and to its un-Bonded successor, 2000’s Perfect Dark.” Etymology
From Anglo-Norman successour, from Latin successor.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
VERB
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
Related words
- 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.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL 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: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · AdvancedOxford
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