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 of wealthy

• affluent
• rich

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

The program will fast-track residency and citizenship for wealthy immigrants. —Selina Wang, ABC News, 12 Dec. 2025

And those visitors are typically about twice as wealthy as local residents, according to a 2021 study commissioned by state officials. —Trevor Hughes, USA Today, 12 Dec. 2025

The housing shortage has pushed first-time Millennial and Gen Z buyers to compete for the same pool of homes as wealthier baby boomers, Ruzicka said. —Francesca Pica, jsonline.com, 12 Dec. 2025

The limits on coordinated spending are intended to prevent wealthy donors from skirting contribution caps to candidates by giving money to political parties, which then give it to the candidate. —Jenna Sundel, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing wealthy

• the wealthy

Rhymes for wealthy

• healthy
• stealthy
• unhealthy

Kids Definition

wealthy

adjective

ˈwel-thē 

wealthier; wealthiest

1

: having wealth : rich

2

: marked by plenty : abundant

wealthiness

-thē-nəs 

noun