Have you ever hesitated before typing successfully — wondering if it needs one “c” or two? You’re not alone! This tiny spelling question confuses countless writers, students, and professionals every single day. The truth is, only one version is correct, and the other is simply a common misspelling.
Although successfully and succesfully look almost identical, they serve completely different purposes — one follows standard English spelling rules, while the other breaks them. In this article, we’ll explain the correct form, show you why the error happens, give memory tricks to remember it, and provide real-life examples so you never spell it wrong again. Let’s clear this up once and for all! ✨
What Is “Successfully”?
Successfully is the correct spelling. It’s an adverb that means to do something in a successful way — that is, achieving the desired result or goal.
For example:
- “She completed the project successfully.”
- “The surgery was successfully performed.”
- “He passed the driving test successfully on his first try.”
How It Works
The word “successfully” is formed from the adjective successful + the adverbial suffix -ly, which means “in a way that.”
So,
Successful (adjective) → Successfully (adverb)
Meaning: “in a successful manner.”
Where It’s Used
You can use successfully in:
- Academic writing: “The experiment was successfully replicated.”
- Business reports: “The team successfully increased sales by 20%.”
- Everyday speech: “I successfully baked a cake without burning it!”
Origin
The root word “success” comes from the Latin successus, meaning an advance, a good result, or achievement. The suffix “-ful” turns it into an adjective (full of success), and adding “-ly” converts it into an adverb describing how something was done.
So when you write “successfully,” you’re literally saying: in a manner full of success. 🌟
What Is “Succesfully”?
Now, let’s talk about the impostor: “succesfully.”
This version is incorrect — it’s a common spelling mistake that drops one of the “c’s” from the correct form.
Why People Get It Wrong
- Double consonant confusion: English has many words where double letters are tricky — like “necessary,” “accommodate,” or “occasion.” The brain often skips a repeated letter when typing quickly.
- Pronunciation: We pronounce “successfully” with a single “s” sound in the middle, so the missing “c” goes unnoticed.
- Autocorrect issues: Some older keyboards or apps don’t flag “succesfully” as wrong, allowing the mistake to pass unnoticed.
Key Rule Reminder
Always remember that success has two “c’s” — so any word derived from it must keep both!
✅ Correct: successfully
❌ Incorrect: succesfully
Key Differences Between Successfully and Succesfully
Here’s a quick visual comparison 👇
| Feature | Successfully | Succesfully |
|---|---|---|
| Correctness | ✅ Correct spelling | ❌ Incorrect spelling |
| Meaning | Done with success; achieving a goal | None (misspelling) |
| Usage | Academic, formal, and everyday English | Avoid entirely |
| Word Origin | From “success” + “-ful” + “-ly” | Missing a “c” from the root word |
| Example | “He completed the task successfully.” | “He completed the task succesfully.” (✖ wrong) |
💡 Memory Trick:
Think of “success” as “suc-CESS” — double the “C,” double the success!
Real-Life Conversation Examples
Dialogue 1: In the Office
Emma: “Did you see my report? I wrote that the campaign ran succesfully.”
Jake: “Almost perfect — just add another ‘c’ in successfully! Two c’s equal success.”
🎯 Lesson: Keep both “c’s” from the root word success.
Dialogue 2: In Class
Student: “Miss, is it succesfully or successfully?”
Teacher: “Always successfully! Remember — success has double c’s, and so does everything that comes from it.”
🎯 Lesson: The spelling of the base word success never changes.
Dialogue 3: In a Text Message
Friend 1: “I succesfully booked our tickets!”
Friend 2: “Nice! But you just lost a ‘c’ along the way 😄 — it’s successfully.”
🎯 Lesson: Even casual writing deserves correct spelling.
Dialogue 4: During an Interview
Interviewer: “Tell me about a project you completed successfully.”
Candidate: “Oh! I almost said succesfully. Glad I practiced!”
🎯 Lesson: Spelling matters in professional communication.
Dialogue 5: Social Media Post
User: “I’ve succesfully finished my fitness challenge!”
Commenter: “Congrats! But the word is successfully — double c’s, double gains!” 💪
🎯 Lesson: Good spelling keeps your posts looking polished.
When to Use “Successfully” vs “Succesfully”
| Situation | Use “Successfully” | Use “Succesfully” |
|---|---|---|
| Formal writing | ✅ | ❌ |
| Emails or business communication | ✅ | ❌ |
| Academic or professional documents | ✅ | ❌ |
| Informal messages | ✅ (still correct) | ❌ (always wrong) |
| Creative or humorous effect | ✅ | ⚠️ Only if joking or emphasizing a typo |
No matter the context — “successfully” is always the right choice. “Succesfully” has no valid usage in standard English.
Fun Fact or History
The word success first appeared in English around the 14th century, meaning “a favorable outcome.” Back then, success was closely linked to divine favor — if something succeeded, it was seen as being blessed or guided.
By the 17th century, English writers began using “successful” to describe achievements by effort rather than luck. Adding “-ly” created “successfully,” which perfectly captured the idea of achieving something with intention and skill.
So, writing “successfully” correctly isn’t just good grammar — it’s centuries of history done right! ✍️
Conclusion
To sum it up: “Successfully” — with two “c’s” — is the correct spelling and means accomplishing something with a positive result. “Succesfully” (with one “c”) is simply a common typo.
Whenever you’re unsure, remember the word “success” itself — keep both “c’s,” and you’ll always spell it successfully! 😄
Next time someone types succesfully, you’ll know exactly how to correct them — and you can do it successfully, too!
Discover More Article
Anual or Annual: Which Is Correct (and Why the Difference Matters)
Roll Call or Role Call: What’s the Difference?
Steam or Steem: What’s the Difference?
