Success & Achievement Vocabulary

a great victory or achievement

“The moon landing was a triumph of human ingenuity.”

Origin: Latin triumphus `achievement, procession for a victorious general`

a notable or successful stroke or move; a brilliant action

“Signing the star player was a major coup for the team.”

Origin: French coup `blow, stroke`, from Latin colpus `blow`

an achievement that requires great skill or strength

“Climbing Everest without oxygen is an incredible feat.”

Origin: Latin factum `deed, act`, from facere `to do, make`

the highest point reached; the peak

“She reached the zenith of her career at forty.”

Origin: Arabic samt ar-ra`s `path over the head', via Medieval Latin

the top or highest part of something

“He stood at the apex of the corporate hierarchy.”

Origin: Latin apex `summit, peak, tip`

the most successful point; the culmination

“Winning the Nobel Prize was the pinnacle of his achievements.”

Origin: Latin pinnaculum `small wing, gable`, diminutive of pinna `feather, wing`

the point at which something is at its best

“The company reached the acme of its influence in the 1990s.”

Origin: Greek akmē `highest point, peak`

the highest point of development; a perfect example

“The symphony is the apotheosis of Romantic music.”

Origin: Greek apotheōsis `deification`, from apotheoun `make a god of`

forming the climax of a series of achievements

“The discovery was her crowning achievement.”

Origin: Latin corona `crown, garland`, via Old French corone

to make complete or perfect

“The treaty consummated years of diplomatic effort.”

Origin: Latin consummare `to sum up, finish`, from summa `sum, total`

to prove more powerful; to triumph

“Justice will prevail in the end.”

Origin: Latin praevalere `have greater power`, from prae- `before` + valere `be strong`

to grow or develop in a healthy way

“The arts flourished during the Renaissance.”

Origin: Latin florere `to flower, bloom`, from flos `flower`

to prosper; to grow vigorously

“Some businesses thrive in economic downturns.”

Origin: Old Norse þrífask `grasp for oneself, prosper`

to succeed, especially financially

“The region prospered under the new policies.”

Origin: Latin prosperare `cause to succeed`, from prosperus `favorable`

occupation of a position of dominant power

“The company's ascendancy in the market seemed unstoppable.”

Origin: Latin ascendere `to climb up`, from ad- `to` + scandere `to climb`

the fact of surpassing all others; superiority

“The university's preeminence in research is recognized globally.”

Origin: Latin praeeminere `to project forward, excel`, from prae- `before` + eminere `stand out`

the action of clearing someone of blame; proof of being right

“The verdict was a vindication of her integrity.”

Origin: Latin vindicare `to claim, avenge, punish`, from vim dicare `show force`

an event marking a turning point

“The election proved to be a watershed moment in history.”

Origin: Old English wæter `water` + scead `divide, separation`; calque of German Wasserscheide

an important event or achievement

“The ruling was a landmark decision for civil rights.”

Origin: Old English land `land` + mearc `boundary, sign`

a significant stage or event in development

“Reaching one million users was a major milestone.”

Origin: Old English mīl `mile` (from Latin milia) + stān `stone`; stones marking distances on roads

the point at which a plan or project is realized

“Her dreams finally came to fruition.”

Origin: Latin frui `to enjoy`, via Old French fruition `enjoyment`

enthusiastic and public praise

“The novel received critical acclaim.”

Origin: Latin acclamare `to shout at`, from ad- `to` + clamare `to shout`