Date: 1300-1400
Language: Latin
Origin: succedere 'to go up, follow after, succeed', from sub- 'near' + cedere 'to go'


suc‧ceed S3 W2
1 [intransitive] to do what you tried or wanted to do:
She wanted to be the first woman to climb Mount Everest, and she almost succeeded.
succeed in doing something
Scientists claim they have succeeded in finding a cure for cancer.
Very few people succeed in losing weight and keeping it off.
! Do not say 'succeed to do'. Say 'succeed in doing': She succeeded in persuading me (NOT succeeded to persuade me).
2 [intransitive] to have the result or effect something was intended to have:
The drug therapy has not succeeded.
3 [intransitive] to do well in your job, especially because you have worked hard at it for a long time
succeed as
I'm not sure he has the determination to succeed as an actor.
succeed in
a woman who succeeded in politics
4 [intransitive and transitive] to be the next person to take a position or job after someone else
succeed somebody as something
Reeves will succeed Segal as Speaker of the House.
succeed somebody to the throne (=to be the next king or queen after someone else)
Who will succeed him to the throne?
5 [transitive] to come after or replace something else, especially another product:
This car is intended to succeed the popular Fiesta.

nothing succeeds like success

used to say that success often leads to even greater success

only succeed in doing something

used when someone does the opposite of what they intended to do:
It seems I've only succeeded in upsetting you.

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