affluence

noun

af·​flu·​ence ˈa-(ˌ)flü-ən(t)s 

also

a-ˈflü- 

 or  ə-

1

a

: abundance of property : wealth

rose from poverty to affluence

b

: an abundant flow or supply : profusion

… to attain that breadth and height, that wealth of muscle, that affluence of flesh.

—Charlotte Brontë

2

: a flowing to or toward a point : influx

Did you know?

What is the origin of affluence?

Affluence comes from the Latin verb affluere, "to flow abundantly". Thus, someone or something blessed with affluence has received an incoming flood of riches. Since the affluent residents of suburbs often work in the central city but pay taxes back home, the wealth of some metropolitan areas tends to flow in one direction—out.

Synonyms

• flux
• income
• inflow
• influx
• inpouring
• inrush

Examples of affluence in a Sentence

this affluence of new students is straining an already crowded school system

Recent Examples on the Web

Notably, this includes the affluence and casual cruelty of Satya and Ankur’s relatives. —Anupama Chopra, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2019

Some of the greatest crime hot spots are in places on the periphery between areas of affluence and areas of deprivation. —Saima S. Iqbal, Scientific American, 24 Oct. 2024

Revisionist actors are challenging the global rules that underpin the relative affluence, security and stability of our post-1945 world. —Hal Brands, The Mercury News, 17 Sep. 2024

Those are the major takeaways from the Arton Capital affluence and elections survey of over 1,000 U.S. millionaires. —Byalicia Adamczyk, Fortune, 3 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, "abundance, profusion," borrowed from Middle French & Latin; Middle French, borrowed from Latin affluentia, noun derivative of affluent-, affluens affluent entry 1 — more at -ence

First Known Use

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

Kids Definition

affluence

noun

af·​flu·​ence ˈaf-ˌlü-ən(t)s 

also

a-ˈflü- 

ə-ˈflü-

: the state of having much wealth or property