wealthy
23 synonyms and 2 antonyms for wealthy, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Having a great deal of money or property; rich.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
Etymology
From Middle English welthy, welþi, equivalent to wealth + -y. Cognate with Middle Dutch weldech, weeldech (“magnificent, luscious, lavish”).
Full origin of wealthy →Frequently asked questions
What does “wealthy” mean?
The word “wealthy” means having a great deal of money or property; rich. In plain terms, having a lot of money or valuable possessions.
How do you pronounce “wealthy”?
“Wealthy” is pronounced WEHL-thee (/ˈwɛl.θi/ in IPA).
How do you use “wealthy” in a sentence?
Here is “wealthy” used in a sentence: “A wealthy investor bought the old mansion and restored it.”
What is another word for “wealthy”?
Words with a similar meaning to “wealthy” include bow-legged wi' brass, comfortably off, filthy rich, loaded, minted and moneyed.
What is the opposite of “wealthy”?
The opposite of “wealthy” — its antonyms — are poor and impoverished.
What part of speech is “wealthy”?
Depending on how it is used, “wealthy” can be an adjective and a noun.
Is “wealthy” a common word?
“Wealthy” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “wealthy” have?
“Wealthy” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: having a great deal of money or property; rich.
What is the difference between wealthy and rich?
Both mean having a great deal of money or property, and they are often interchangeable. Wealthy tends to sound slightly more formal and can suggest lasting, substantial assets, while rich is the plainer, more everyday word. In practice the two are very close synonyms.
What is the difference between wealthy and affluent?
Wealthy means having a great deal of money or property. Affluent describes a comfortable, prosperous standard of living and is often applied to areas or groups, as in "an affluent neighbourhood." Someone very wealthy has large assets, while affluent stresses visible, comfortable prosperity.
Is wealthy a formal word?
Wealthy is a neutral to slightly formal adjective suitable for most writing and speech. More casual alternatives include loaded and well-off, while very formal or literary contexts might use moneyed or of means.