People may define success in different ways. The two main divisions are internal success and someone we perceive as successful.
In both cases, what helps to make it less abstract is thinking of people’s achievements, acts, or way of living that you admire and see value in what they have done. In some cases, you aspire to be like them.
Success intrinsically depends on context.
It is when you want to accomplish something hard (for you) – having an aim entails intentionality and a long-term vision or desire to achieve it.
We cannot judge what success means for others. If you hook up with a girl at a bar and the result is a one-night stand, I would not call it a success. It might have been a successful night for that guy. It could also be that the guy was a virgin or came out of a relationship, and this was his first attempt to get back to business. Closer to my definition would be if it was not a hook-up, but that guy had been hitting on the girl for some time, and his move finally worked out.
There is a difference between the guy’s internal success and what may be perceived as successful, for example, by his high school friends or me, a complete outsider.
Now, imagine a person who had undergone knee surgery and months of rehabilitation. The first moment he can walk up the stairs at home is a small success. That is his internal success. His family may celebrate it with him.
If I lack this context, it is difficult to call it success.
Success can mean being a good parent or making zillions on Wall Street for others.
Either way, what speaks to you more and see a value in is closer to your definition.