unsuccessful
gb/ˌʌnsəksˈɛsfəl/ us/ˌʌnsəksˈɛsfəl/
B1
English
~ 7700
Senses
0 senses
adjective
B1
property
1
not achieving the intended result
Not getting the result you wanted from a particular try or action.
Usage pattern:
be unsuccessful in [doing something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes say *"It was not success"* instead of *"It was unsuccessful" or "It was not a success". Use **unsuccessful** to describe an attempt, plan, or action that did not work. Also, use the pattern **be unsuccessful in doing something**, not *"be unsuccessful to do something"* (correct: "He was unsuccessful in finding a job," not "He was unsuccessful to find a job").
Synonyms
failed (Slightly stronger and more direct; often used for plans or attempts that clearly did not work.)
|
ineffective (Focuses more on not working well or not producing the desired effect, rather than simply not reaching a goal.)
Antonyms
successful (Describes an attempt or action that achieved the desired or planned result.)
|
effective (Emphasizes that something works well and produces the desired effect.)
Collocations
unsuccessful attempt
|unsuccessful effort
|unsuccessful search
|unsuccessful operation
|unsuccessful bid
|prove unsuccessful
Themes
daily life
|work
|education
|emotions
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Their attempts to reach a compromise were unsuccessful.
- The treatment was unsuccessful, so the doctors tried another approach.
- Police conducted an extensive but unsuccessful search of the area.
- Our first marketing campaign was unsuccessful and reached very few customers.
- His application for the visa was unsuccessful and he had to postpone his trip.
Learner examples
- Their plan to save the company was unsuccessful.
- The first operation was unsuccessful, so they did a second one.
- My job interview was unsuccessful, and I did not get the job.
- The team made an unsuccessful attempt to fix the problem.
- She was unsuccessful in finding a cheap hotel.
adjective
B1
property
2
not successful in life or career
Not having the success you want in your work, life, or main goals.
Usage pattern:
be unsuccessful as [a role]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse describing a person (*"an unsuccessful engineer"*) with describing a single attempt (*"an unsuccessful attempt to design a bridge"*). Use this sense when talking about a person’s general career or life success, not just one action.
Synonyms
failing (Can sound more negative or judgmental, often suggesting repeated or serious lack of success.)
|
unpromising (Focuses on low chances of future success rather than current lack of success.)
Antonyms
successful (Describes a person or group that has achieved desired goals or status in work or life.)
|
accomplished (Emphasizes high achievement and recognized skill or success in a field.)
Collocations
unsuccessful candidate
|unsuccessful applicant
|unsuccessful businessman
|unsuccessful career
|remain unsuccessful
Themes
work
|business
|social life
|emotions
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- After several unsuccessful years as a writer, she changed careers.
- The company has been largely unsuccessful in the European market.
- He felt like an unsuccessful father because he could not support his family.
- Despite many projects, they remain an unsuccessful firm in the tech sector.
- There were more than a hundred unsuccessful candidates for the position.
Learner examples
- He was an unsuccessful lawyer and earned very little money.
- The company was unsuccessful for many years and then closed.
- She felt unsuccessful compared to her friends.
- Many unsuccessful applicants did not receive any feedback.
- They were unsuccessful as farmers and moved to the city.
Grammar
Dictionary form
unsuccessful
IPA
GB/ˌʌnsəksˈɛsfəl/
US/ˌʌnsəksˈɛsfəl/
Syllables & stress
un - suc - cess - ful (4 syllables)
Stress on 3rd syllable (cess)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: unsuccessful
Word family
Core family
Negative and opposite forms
unsuccessfully
adverb
Expressions
No expressions linked to this entry yet.