winning

1 of 2

noun

win·​ning ˈwi-niŋ 

1

: the act of one that wins : victory

2

: something won: such as

a

: a captured territory : conquest

b

: money won by success in a game or competition

—usually used in plural

winning

2 of 2

adjective

1

a

: of or relating to winning : that wins

the winning ticket

b

: successful especially in competition

a winning team

2

: tending to please or delight

a winning personality

winningly

ˈwi-niŋ-lē 

adverb

Synonyms

Adjective

• adorable
• darling
• dear
• disarming
• endearing
• lovable
• loveable
• lovesome
• precious
• sweet
• winsome

Examples of winning in a Sentence

Adjective

She scored the winning goal.

They were a winning marketing team.

Chocolate and mint is a winning combination.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

In their last game, the Cardinals snapped Clemson’s 11-year, 22-game winning streak in home night games. —Harold Gutmann, The Mercury News, 16 Nov. 2024

But Minnesota’s conveyor belt continues to move along at safety, and their continuation at the position has been key to the four-game winning streak the Gophers take into Saturday’s game at Rutgers in Piscataway, N.J. —Andy Greder, Twin Cities, 8 Nov. 2024

Adjective

The most winning aspect of Wilder's play is its warmth. —Shania Russell, EW.com, 11 Oct. 2024

Saturday’s titanic clash of the sport’s winningest program against the current dynasty featured the two longest-active winning streaks in the country. —Thuc Nhi Nguyen, Los Angeles Times, 1 June 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing winning

• losing/winning record
• winning combination
• winning/losing streak
• winning post

Kids Definition

winning

1 of 2 noun

win·​ning

ˈwin-iŋ

1

: the act of one that wins : victory

2

: something won

especially : money won in a game or contest

—usually used in plural

winning

2 of 2 adjective

1

a

: of, relating to, or used for or in the act of winning

the winning ticket

b

: successful especially in competition

a winning team

2

: tending to please or delight

a winning personality

winningly adverb