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
• 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

Not all of the record 125 American immigrants on Forbes’ ranking of the world’s wealthiest people feel the same way about their president’s crackdown on immigrants. —Matt Durot, Forbes.com, 9 July 2025

Over the decade that 770 filles arrived in North America, about sixty came from such wealthy households. —Ann Foster, JSTOR Daily, 9 July 2025

Although wealthier residents may have the means to build predator-proof enclosures, others lack the financial or institutional support to do the same. —Los Angeles Times, 9 July 2025

Prices in the broader Dubai property market are rising as the city attracts wealthy residents and investors, while also incentivizing new home ownership with fee discounts and low mortgage rates. —semafor.com, 9 July 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