prosperous

adjective

pros·​per·​ous ˈprä-sp(ə-)rəs 

1

: auspicious, favorable

2

a

: marked by success or economic well-being

b

: enjoying vigorous and healthy growth : flourishing

prosperously adverb

prosperousness noun

Synonyms

• booming
• boomy
• flourishing
• golden
• halcyon
• healthy
• lush
• palmy
• prospering
• roaring
• successful
• thriving

Examples of prosperous in a Sentence

The company had a prosperous year.

He predicted a prosperous future.

Recent Examples on the Web

Harvard’s public stance highlights a fundamental leadership truth: integrity demands that leaders advocate for their organization’s values in both prosperous times and during crises. —Dan Pontefract, Forbes.com, 15 Apr. 2025

Historically, there are no examples of an economy based only on tariffs that successfully fostered a prosperous, equitable society. — Made By History, Time, 15 Apr. 2025

Many of Vara’s friends went on to work for one or more of these prosperous companies. —Dwight Garner, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025

Joel and Ellie have gone back to Jackson to be with Tommy, Maria, their son Benjy, and a community that is getting bigger and seemingly more prosperous by the day. —Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 13 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin prosperus "agreeable to one's wishes, successful, (of omens) propitious" (going back to *pro-sparo-, from pro- pro- entry 2 + *sparo-, going back to Indo-European *sph₁-ró- "thriving") + -ous -ous — more at speed entry 1

Note: An apparently traditional explanation is recorded by the fourth/fifth century grammarian Nonius Marcellus, namely, that prosperus was in origin from the phrase prō spērē "in conformity with one's hope" (spērē being taken as a variant of spē, ablative of spēs "hope"), though this may best be regarded as a folk etymology. It fails to account for the short e in prosperus.

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

prosperous

adjective

pros·​per·​ous ˈpräs-p(ə-)rəs 

1

: having or showing success or financial good fortune

2

: strong and healthy in growth

prosperously adverb