affluent

[af-loo-uhnt, uh-floo-]

adjective

1. having an abundance of wealth, property, or other material goods; prosperous; rich.

   an affluent person.

2. abounding in anything; abundant.

   Synonyms: teeming

3. flowing freely.

   an affluent fountain.

noun

1. a tributary stream.

2. an affluent person.

   a luxurious resort appealing to young affluents.

affluent

/ ˈæflʊənt /

adjective

1. rich; wealthy

2. abundant; copious

3. flowing freely

noun

1. archaic,  a tributary stream

Other Word Forms

• affluently adverb
• nonaffluent adjective
• subaffluent adjective
• subaffluently adverb
• superaffluent adjective
• superaffluently adverb
• unaffluent adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of affluent¹

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin affluent- (stem of affluēns “rich”; originally present participle of affluere ), equivalent to af- af- + flu- “flow” + -ent -ent

Word History and Origins

Origin of affluent¹

C15: from Latin affluent-, present participle of affluere to flow towards, from fluere to flow

Synonym Study

See rich.

Example Sentences

Its report is further evidence of a two-track economy, in which lower income consumers are cutting back while more affluent shoppers continue to spend.

Read more on Barron's

Its report is further evidence of a two-track economy, in which lower income consumers are cutting back while more affluent shoppers continue to spend.

Read more on Barron's

Their gloomy outlook was in contrast with the most affluent families, who are enjoying stock-market gains and powering the economy with their spending.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

“We could see a blow dealt to the last bastion of consumers willing to spend with abandon: the affluent,” said Swonk.

Read more on Barron's

For too long, affluent nations like the U.S. and the U.K. have tolerated this trade in the name of “choice” and “family equality.”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• moneyed 
• prosperous 
• rich 
• upscale 
• well-off 
• well-to-do