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

• affluent
• deep-pocketed
• fat
• fat-cat
• flush
• loaded
• moneyed
• monied
• opulent
• rich
• silk-stocking
• well-endowed
• well-fixed
• well-heeled
• well-off
• well-to-do

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

Though Luigi Mangione comes from a wealthy and prominent family, anonymous online donors have chipped in thousands of dollars to fund his legal defense against charges connected to the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. —Nick Penzenstadler, USA TODAY, 12 Dec. 2024

The offerings found inside the tombs of the building indicate that their occupants were wealthy and of high social status. —Gordon G. Chang, Newsweek, 12 Dec. 2024

The Tax Notes investigations team recently published a series of articles on private placement life insurance, a type of life insurance that is only available to wealthy investors. —Tax Notes Staff, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024

Altoona Police Department Mangione, who is part of a wealthy Baltimore-area family, and who reportedly suffers from chronic back pain, was charged by the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office with murder and gun crimes hours after his apprehension in Pennsylvania. —Dan Mangan, CNBC, 10 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing wealthy

• the wealthy

Kids Definition

wealthy

adjective

ˈwel-thē 

wealthier; wealthiest

1

: having wealth : rich

2

: marked by plenty : abundant

wealthiness

-thē-nəs 

noun