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

But that village has much to gain and, people often forget, Chicago needs its suburban feeders to be economically prosperous so the residents there can spend money in the city. —The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 22 May 2025

More than 1,000 people were forced out of the prosperous Black community known as Oscarville by white individuals from Forsyth County, Teen Vogue reported. —Staff Author, People.com, 17 May 2025

Haiti and the Dominican Republic share the island of Hispaniola, and Haitians have long migrated across the border to work in the Dominican Republic's more prosperous economy. —Lauren Villagran, USA Today, 16 May 2025

By partnering with countries across the Middle East, Asia, Africa, and beyond, Europe can unlock thriving markets, booming economies, and sustainable, prosperous growth. —Matt Robison, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 May 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