Words / A2

uns-uh-k-SESFL/ˌʌnsəkˈsesfl/

Unsuccessful means not achieving what you wanted: an unsuccessful attempt, unsuccessful in, an unsuccessful interview. Successful is the opposite. Failed is a stronger everyday cousin. Success is the noun. Do not write unsuccessful when you mean success, or unsuccessfully (adverb).

Meaning

Not achieving what you wanted.

Examples

• “His first job interview was unsuccessful.”
• “Our first bid for the flat was unsuccessful.”
• “She made several unsuccessful calls to the helpline.”

Good to know

an unsuccessful attempt / interview. Opposite: successful. Stronger cousin: failed. Mix-up: success (noun).

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