wealthy

adjective

ˈwel-thē 

 also  ˈwelt-thē

wealthier; wealthiest

1

: having wealth : very affluent

2

: characterized by abundance : ample

wealthily

ˈwel-thə-lē 

adverb

wealthiness

ˈwel-thē-nəs 

noun

Synonyms

• affluent
• deep-pocketed
• fat
• fat-cat
• flush
• loaded
• moneyed
• monied
• opulent
• rich
• silk-stocking
• well-endowed
• well-fixed
• well-heeled
• well-off
• well-to-do

Choose the Right Synonym for wealthy

rich, wealthy, affluent, opulent mean having goods, property, and money in abundance.

rich implies having more than enough to gratify normal needs or desires.

became rich through shrewd investing

wealthy stresses the possession of property and intrinsically valuable things.

wealthy landowners

affluent suggests prosperity and an increasing wealth.

an affluent society

opulent suggests lavish expenditure and display of great wealth, more often applying to things than people.

an opulent mansion

Examples of wealthy in a Sentence

He is a wealthy entrepreneur.

the wealthiest nations in the world

Recent Examples on the Web

Seattle—home base to Amazon, Microsoft, Costco, Starbucks—is one of our nation’s most important commercial hubs, and one of its wealthiest cities. —Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 3 June 2024

In wealthy countries, society had been steeped in the idea that the internet had transcended the traditional constraints of time and space. —Peter S. Goodman, New York Times, 2 June 2024

Polis fought for a $450 million income tax cut, which predominantly will benefit wealthier Coloradans, and a decrease in the state sales tax rate during economic booms. —Nick Coltrain, The Denver Post, 1 June 2024

His fiscal policies benefited wealthy Americans and corporations but did little for working families and the poor. —Diane Winston, The Conversation, 31 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing wealthy

• the wealthy

Kids Definition

wealthy

adjective

ˈwel-thē 

wealthier; wealthiest

1

: having wealth : rich

2

: marked by plenty : abundant

wealthiness

-thē-nəs 

noun