vitoria
B2Formal to Neutral
Definition
Meaning
The act of defeating an opponent or succeeding in a struggle or contest.
A significant achievement or success in any endeavour, overcoming a difficulty.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
"Victory" inherently implies a struggle or competition against an opponent or obstacle. It is often associated with a definitive, complete, or final outcome.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in core meaning or usage. British English may slightly more frequently use 'victory' in historical/military contexts, but this is a nuance.
Connotations
Commonly evokes connotations of war, sports, elections, and personal triumph.
Frequency
High frequency in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
victory over [someone/something]victory in [contest/war/election]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “snatch victory from the jaws of defeat”
- “Pyrrhic victory”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
A victory in the marketplace or over a competitor.
Academic
Often used in historical and political science contexts to describe outcomes of conflicts or elections.
Everyday
Used for sports results, personal achievements, and overcoming challenges.
Technical
Used in military science and game theory to denote a winning outcome.
Examples
By Part of Speech
adjective
British English
- The victory celebration lasted all night.
American English
- They took a victory lap around the field.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Our team scored a great victory.
- He felt happy after his victory in the race.
- The general led his army to a famous victory.
- Celebrating their election victory, the candidates gave speeches.
- The court's ruling was hailed as a landmark victory for human rights.
- After a gruelling campaign, the narrow victory felt all the sweeter.
- The negotiation was a Pyrrhic victory, costing the company its public goodwill.
- Her victory over the incumbent was attributable to a masterful grassroots strategy.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
"VICTORY" sounds like "I conquered the story" - you won the narrative.
Conceptual Metaphor
LIFE IS A BATTLE (e.g., 'a victory over illness'), SUCCESS IS UP/WINNING (e.g., 'a towering victory').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with the Russian city name "Виктория".
- In Russian, "победа" is the direct equivalent; beware of false cognates.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'victory' for a minor or non-competitive success (overuse).
- Incorrect: 'We had a victory to finish the project.' Correct: 'We achieved victory in finishing the project.' or 'Finishing the project was a victory.'
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following best describes a 'Pyrrhic victory'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, while common in those contexts, it can be used metaphorically for any significant success against odds (e.g., 'a victory over cancer', 'a legal victory').
'Triumph' often carries a stronger connotation of glory, celebration, and public acclaim, while 'victory' is more neutral, focusing on the fact of winning.
No, 'victory' is not used as a verb in modern standard English. The verb form is 'to vanquish', 'to defeat', or 'to win'.
Use 'victory over' for opponents ('victory over illness'), 'victory in' for events/contests ('victory in the election'), and 'victory for' for beneficiaries ('a victory for justice').