winning

UK: /ˈwɪnɪŋ/ US: /ˈwɪnɪŋ/ ,(win′ing)

From the verb win: (⇒ conjugate)

winning is: ⓘ

v pres p

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

win•ning /ˈwɪnɪŋ/   n. 

1. [uncountable] the act of one that wins.
2. Usually, winnings. [plural] something won, esp. money.

adj. [usually: before a noun]

3. successful or victorious:
   a winning team.
4. pleasing or pleasant:
   a winning personality.

win•ning•ly, adv. 

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

win•ning  (win′ing), n. 

1. the act of a person or thing that wins.
2. Usually, winnings. something that is won, esp. money.
3. Mining
   • any opening by which coal is being or has been extracted.
   • a bed of coal ready for mining.

adj. 

4. that wins;
   successful or victorious, as in a contest:
   the winning team.
5. charming;
   engaging;
   pleasing:
   a winning child; a winning smile.

• 1250–1300; Middle English (noun, nominal); see win, -ing¹, -ing²

win′ning•ly, adv. 
win′ning•ness, n. 
Synonyms

• 5. captivating, attractive, winsome.

Antonyms

• 1, 4. losing.
• 5. repulsive.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

winning / ˈwɪnɪŋ/ adjective

1. (of a person, character, etc) charming, engaging, or attractive: winning ways, a winning smile
2. gaining victory: the winning stroke

noun

1. (plural) money, prizes, or valuables won, esp in gambling

ˈwinningly adverb

ˈwinningness noun

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

win¹ /wɪn/   v., won/wʌn/  win•ning, n. 
v. 

1. to finish first, as in a race or contest;
   win a victory in: [~ + object]
   She won the marathon.
   [no object]
   He never wins.
2. to be victorious in (a battle, war, etc.):
   [~ + object] They won the war.
3. to achieve by effort, as through hard work, or by competition or luck: [~ + object]
   He won the prize.
   [no object]
   We never seem to win.
4. to gain, as by one's good qualities, hard work, or influence:
   [~ + object] She won the respect of her coworkers.
5. win over, to gain the favor, consent, or support of: [~ + object + over]
   Her arguments eventually won us over.
   [~ + over + object]
   She could win over even the most stubborn opponents.

n. [countable]

6. a victory, as in a game, a horse race, etc.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

win¹  (win), v., won, win•ning, n. 
v.i. 

1. to finish first in a race, contest, or the like.
2. to succeed by striving or effort:
   He applied for a scholarship and won.
3. to gain the victory;
   overcome an adversary:
   The home team won.

v.t. 

4. to succeed in reaching (a place, condition, etc.), esp. by great effort:
   They won the shore through a violent storm.
5. to get by effort, as through labor, competition, or conquest:
   He won his post after years of striving.
6. to gain (a prize, fame, etc.).
7. to be successful in (a game, battle, etc.).
8. to make (one's way), as by effort or ability.
9. to attain or reach (a point, goal, etc.).
10. to gain (favor, love, consent, etc.), as by qualities or influence.
11. to gain the favor, regard, or adherence of.
12. to gain the consent or support of;
    persuade (often fol. by over):
    The speech won them over to our side.
13. to persuade to marry;
    gain in marriage.
14. Mining, British Terms [Brit. Mining.]
    • to obtain (ore, coal, etc.).
    • to prepare (a vein, bed, mine, etc.) for working, by means of shafts or the like.
15. win out, to win or succeed, esp. over great odds;
    triumph:
    His finer nature finally won out.

n. 

16. a victory, as in a game or horse race.
17. Sport the position of the competitor who comes in first in a horse race, harness race, etc. Cf. place (def. 27b), show (def. 29).

• bef. 900; Middle English winnen (verb, verbal), Old English winnan to work, fight, bear; cognate with German gewinnen, Old Norse vinna, Gothic winnan

win′na•ble, adj. 
Synonyms

• 5. obtain, secure, acquire, achieve, reach, procure. See gain ¹.
• 12. convince.

win²  (win), v.t., winned, win•ning. [Scot. and North Eng.]

1. Scottish Terms to dry (hay, wood, etc.) by exposure to air and sun.

• perh. variant of winnow 1550–60

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

win / wɪn/ verb (wins, winning, won)

1. (intransitive) to achieve first place in a competition
2. (transitive) to gain or receive (a prize, first place, etc) in a competition
3. (transitive) to succeed in or gain (something) with an effort: we won recognition
4. to gain victory or triumph in (a battle, argument, etc)
5. (transitive) to earn or procure (a living, etc) by work
6. when intr, followed by out, through, etc: to reach with difficulty (a desired condition or position) or become free, loose, etc, with effort: the boat won the shore, the boat won through to the shore
7. (transitive) to gain (the sympathy, loyalty, etc) of someone
8. (transitive) to obtain (a woman, etc) in marriage
9. (transitive) to extract (ore, coal, etc) from a mine
10. to extract (metal or other minerals) from ore
11. to discover and make (a mineral deposit) accessible for mining
12. you can't win ⇒ an expression of resignation after an unsuccessful attempt to overcome difficulties

noun

1. a success, victory, or triumph
2. profit; winnings
3. the act or fact of reaching the finishing line or post first

Etymology: Old English winnan; related to Old Norse vinna, German gewinnen

ˈwinnable adjective

win / wɪn/ verb (wins, winning, won, winned)(transitive)

1. a less common word for winnow

Etymology: Old English, perhaps a variant of winnow