Successful Or Successfull – How To Spell It Correctly

Correct spelling is crucial in academic writing because incorrect spelling can lead to confusion and impede clear idea communication. Often, spelling mistakes arise due to the variation in spelling rules between different languages. A common error includes the incorrect use of the word “successful.” This article will provide all you need to know about this widespread spelling issue.

The correct spelling of “successful”

The word “successful” functions as an adjective, and has only one correct way of spelling. “Successful” is made of the noun “success” and the suffix “-ful.”

It originated from Latin and evolved to “successus,” meaning “a good result.” Nowadays, the word “successful” has two related, but not identical, meanings: One being the general meaning of the achievement of one’s goal. The other being the achievement of popularity or wealth.

The most common misspelling of the adjective “successful” happens by adding another “l” at the end. This can happen because the suffix derives from “full of.” Historically, speakers of Old and Middle English often prefixed other words with the modified “full” as “ful.” However, in Old English, it was also usual to add “-full” as a suffix to words without omitting the “l,” leading to later spelling ambiguities.

So, while one might be full of success, the “ful” in “successful” is, in fact, not full. The same issue happens with words such as beautiful, stressful, and grateful. Additionally, the phonetics of this word may also explain why it is often wrongfully spelled “successfull.”

Tip for spelling “successful”

Despite the difficult spelling of “successful,” there is a helpful mnemonic to remember the correct spelling.