wealthy

¹

[wel-thee]

adjective

wealthier, wealthiest 

1. having great wealth; rich; affluent.

   a wealthy person; a wealthy nation.

   Synonyms: moneyed, well-to-do, prosperous
   Antonyms: poor

2. characterized by, pertaining to, or suggestive of wealth.

   a wealthy appearance.

3. rich in character, quality, or amount; abundant or ample.

   a novel that is wealthy in its psychological insights.

   Synonyms: copious
   Antonyms: scanty

Wealthy

²

[wel-thee]

noun

1. a variety of red apple, grown in the U.S., ripening in early autumn.

wealthy

/ ˈwɛlθɪ /

adjective

1. possessing wealth; affluent; rich

2. of, characterized by, or relating to wealth

3. abounding

   wealthy in friends

Other Word Forms

• wealthily adverb
• wealthiness noun
• overwealthy adjective
• quasi-wealthy adjective
• subwealthy adjective
• superwealthy adjective
• unwealthy adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of wealthy¹

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English; wealth + -y ¹

Origin of wealthy²

Origin uncertain

Synonym Study

See rich.

Example Sentences

But the most important thing is to not act like some wealthy nob, even though most of them are, lording your superiority over the common folk whose votes are necessary for victory.

Read more on Salon

Right now, the lion's share of the £23.5m men's prize fund will flow to wealthy Premier League clubs who arguably need it least and where it will make very little difference.

Read more on BBC

Six years after Epstein’s death, Indyke and Kahn remain wealthy and in control of key evidence.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

And yet, it has the lowest life expectancy among large, wealthy countries.

Read more on Salon

So will South Africa manage to reach its aims without the presence of the world's wealthiest nation?

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• affluent 
• independent 
• moneyed 
• prosperous 
• upscale 
• well-heeled 
• well-off 
• well-to-do