prosperous
PROS-pruhs
Prosperous (adj) means Financially successful and thriving. Example: “The town became prosperous after the factory opened.”
adj
1
Financially successful and thriving.
"The town became prosperous after the factory opened."
"They wished her a happy and prosperous new year."
"Her uncle runs a prosperous farm that supplies fresh vegetables to half the county."
How to use prosperous
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishDoing well financially; thriving and successful.
Common pairings
prosperous business
prosperous new year
a prosperous economy
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more prosperous
- Superlative
- most prosperous
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The town became _____ after the factory opened.
Etymology
From Old French prosperer, from Latin prosperare ("to cause to succeed"), from pro spere ("according to hope").
Synonyms
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booming
profitable
affluent
successful
rich
well off
well-to-do
wealthy
lucky
flourishing
bustling
fortunate
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for prosperous
See all rhymes for prosperous →Frequently asked questions
What does “prosperous” mean?
The word “prosperous” means financially successful and thriving. In plain terms, doing well financially; thriving and successful.
How do you pronounce “prosperous”?
“Prosperous” is pronounced PROS-pruhs (/ˈpɹɑs.pə.ɹəs/ in IPA).
How do you use “prosperous” in a sentence?
Here is “prosperous” used in a sentence: “The town became prosperous after the factory opened.”
What is another word for “prosperous”?
Words with a similar meaning to “prosperous” include rich, well off, well-to-do, wealthy, lucky and flourishing.
What is the opposite of “prosperous”?
The opposite of “prosperous” — its antonyms — are failed, improsperous, speedless, unfortunate and unsuccessful.
What part of speech is “prosperous”?
“Prosperous” is an adjective.
Where does the word “prosperous” come from?
The word “prosperous” comes from Latin. From Old French prosperer, from Latin prosperare ("to cause to succeed"), from pro spere ("according to hope").
Is “prosperous” a common word?
“Prosperous” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between "prosperous" and "rich"?
"Prosperous" describes ongoing financial success and thriving, often suggesting a general state of growth or well-being, such as a prosperous business or nation. "Rich" simply describes having a large amount of money or wealth, without implying growth or momentum.
Can "prosperous" describe something other than money, such as a relationship or career?
Yes, "prosperous" is often used to describe a thriving, successful state more broadly, such as a prosperous career, marriage, or community. It emphasizes flourishing and favorable conditions, not strictly financial wealth.
Is "prosperous" a formal word, and where is it commonly used?
"Prosperous" has a somewhat formal, positive tone and appears often in business, economic, and ceremonial language, such as wishing someone a "happy and prosperous new year." It is less common in casual conversation than simpler words like "successful" or "well-off."
