prosper

[ pros-per ]

verb (used without object)

1. to be successful or fortunate, especially in financial respects; thrive; flourish.

   Antonyms: fail

verb (used with object)

1. Archaic. to make successful or fortunate.

prosper

/ ˈprɒspə /

verb

1. usually intr to thrive, succeed, etc, or cause to thrive, succeed, etc in a healthy way

Other Words From

• un·prospered adjective
• un·prosper·ing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of prosper¹

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English prosperen, Old French prosperer, from Latin prosperāre “to make happy,” derivative of prosperus prosperous

Word History and Origins

Origin of prosper¹

C15: from Latin prosperāre to succeed, from prosperus fortunate, from pro- ¹+ spēs hope

Synonym Study

See succeed.

Example Sentences

The more that the city does to bridge the gap between those who are prospering and those who are potentially left behind in the economies that are created the high-tech economies is important.

From TechCrunch

By this time, there was plenty of room at the table for different music stylings to prosper.

From Essence.com

His significant success with Patanjali combined with a sharp acumen for politics—he is seen to be close to the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party—have allowed him to prosper enormously.

From Quartz

Year after year, the teams that take responsibility, without complaint, for all the problems that are not their fault are the ones that endure and usually prosper.

From Washington Post

In other words, a company specializing in kidney care should theoretically be able to prosper with a patient base that hasn’t reached end-stage renal disease.

From Freakonomics

Richie calls Father Prosper, desperate for any shred of information.

From The Daily Beast

She also hosts the premier motivational seminar for spouses and women veterans Prosper Where You're Planted Boost Camp.

From The Daily Beast

Back then, Prosper and the others may not have been saying in public, “Oh, my God, this is wrong.”

From The Daily Beast

The Wheal Prosper 16-inch pole high-pressure expansive steam vacuum engine commenced its up-stroke with steam of 100 lbs.

From Project Gutenberg

Some account of the vendetta should not be omitted and illustrations from Prosper Mérimée's "Colomba" may be read aloud.

From Project Gutenberg

During the last two years the banker's cashier and protege, Prosper Bertomy, had been devoted in his attentions to Madeleine.

From Project Gutenberg

M. Fauvel would make objections, for he had an affection for Prosper, and had tacitly approved of the match.

From Project Gutenberg

Prosper supports Gypsy, who is extravagant; he gambles, keeps fast horses, and gives suppers.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• bloom
• blossom
• catch on
• do well
• flourish
• multiply
• thrive

More About Prosper

What does prosper mean?

Prosper means to be successful or fortunate, especially in a financial or material way.

Prosper often implies success in terms of wealth, health, and happiness. But it can also be used broadly, much like the words succeed, thrive, and flourish.

You can say that someone is prospering in the present, but the word is perhaps most commonly used in the context of what will happen in the future.

Prosper is associated with its use in the phrase “live long and prosper,” the catchphrase of the character Spock in the Star Trek series of TV shows and movies.

Someone who prospers can be described as prosperous. The noun prosperity refers to a state of success.

Example: If we can continue to maintain this level of quality, our company will continue to prosper.

Where does prosper come from?

The first records of the word prosper come from the 1400s. It comes from the Latin verb prosperāre, meaning “to make happy.”

To say that someone will prosper usually implies that they will achieve financial wealth, but it almost always implies that they will find happiness or contentment in their success. In other words, to prosper is usually to succeed in a healthy way—to thrive. The word is most often used in the context of a people’s careers and successful businesses.

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms related to prosper?

• prosperous (adjective)

What are some synonyms for prosper?

• thrive
• flourish
• succeed

What are some words that share a root or word element with prosper? 

 

• prosperity

 

What are some words that often get used in discussing prosper?

• live
• long
• success
• business
• career
• wealth
• health
• happiness

How is prosper used in real life?

Prosper is usually used in a positive way in the discussion of financial success. It’s somewhat formal compared to a synonym like succeed.

there’s nothing I love more than being able to see & witness my loved ones prosper doing everything that makes their hearts happy & souls thrive

— ꧁ tαnisiα ꧂ (@rheaamariaa) September 20, 2020

#Rotary members in Indonesia used their skills to transform swampland into rice fields that now yield a harvest of over $3 million per year. Families in the village are now prospering and able to afford basic needs and education for their children. https://t.co/V9ZflDZSuv pic.twitter.com/bE0E1DZfPu

— Rotary International (@Rotary) September 20, 2020

I want to see my people happy & prospering in life ok! Nothing less.

— Tìa Mahana (@mocchahontas) September 22, 2020

 

 

Try using prosper!

Which of the following words is NOT a synonym of prosper?

A. flourish
B. thrive
C. succeed
D. wither