This edited volume makes significant progress toward unpacking the question of successful adaptation and offering both scientifically informed and practice-relevant answers from various sectors and regions of the world. Importantly, we approach this challenge from the assumption that there is not one answer, as the question of success in important ways is normative and context-specific. It is possible, however, to illuminate the different dimensions of this question and to make rational arguments for important elements of successful adaptation by drawing on the extant literature, expert judgment (i.e., that of our contributing authors), and practical experience.We appraise how climatic and non-climatic stressors play a role, how scientific and policy understanding as well as empirical grounding has informed climate adaptation decision-making, and how perceptions of trade-offs and priorities with other concerns shape adaptation planning and implementation on the ground.