prosper

verb

pros·​per ˈprä-spər 

prospered; prospering ˈprä-sp(ə-)riŋ 

intransitive verb

1

: to succeed in an enterprise or activity

especially : to achieve economic success

2

: to become strong and flourishing

transitive verb

: to cause to succeed or thrive

Synonyms

• burgeon
• bourgeon
• flourish
• thrive

Examples of prosper in a Sentence

She prospered as a real estate agent.

He hopes his business will prosper.

No crop can prosper in this heat.

Recent Examples on the Web

Two names that could prosper no matter who wins are New Fortress Energy Inc. (NFE) and Energy Transfer LP (ET), writes Elliott Gue. —Moneyshow, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024

Three men are being awarded the Nobel Prize for Economics for their work exploring why some societies prosper and others don’t. —Steve Forbes, Forbes, 17 Oct. 2024

Because of factors like an output deal with Netflix, the network was able to prosper financially even if shows drew modest linear ratings. —Dade Hayes, Deadline, 16 Oct. 2024

The years in which Reeve has developed a solid relationship with Minnesota’s floor general, the Lynx have tended to prosper. —Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 15 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English prosperen, borrowed from Anglo-French prosperer "to promote, foster, be fortunate or successful," borrowed from Latin prosperāre "to cause to succeed, further" (Medieval Latin also, in passive, "to be granted success, succeed"), verbal derivative of prosperus "agreeable to one's wishes, successful, prosperous"

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Kids Definition

prosper

verb

pros·​per ˈpräs-pər 

prospered; prospering -p(ə-)riŋ 

1

: to succeed or make money in something one is doing

2

: thrive sense 1, flourish

3

: to cause to become prosperous