affluence
Americannoun
-
abundance of money, property, and other material goods; riches; wealth.
-
an abundant supply, as of thoughts or words; profusion.
-
a flowing to or toward; afflux.
noun
-
an abundant supply of money, goods, or property; wealth
-
rare abundance or profusion
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of affluence
1350–1400; Middle English < Middle French < Latin affluentia, equivalent to af- af- + flu- flow + -entia -ence
Explanation
Affluence means great wealth and abundance, such as the great riches found by ancient explorers who exploited the new worlds of North and South America. The roots of the word affluence are recognizable in the Latin affluentia, which refers to something that flows toward (someone). We can see the connection when we think of the flow of wealth that signifies affluence in our society. For centuries we have seen the affluence in the United States that sparked admiration and jealousy among poorer nations, and we have seen that same affluence rising now in China, as it prepares to take its place as a major world power.
Vocabulary lists containing affluence
Frankenstein
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Johnny Tremain
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Revolution in Our Time
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Kadens’s pitch to the 33 students taking his weekly “Mastering Wealth” class: Affluence isn’t just for privileged people, but for anyone willing to take big risks and work like a demon.
From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 12, 2025
“Earning to give” has its roots in the work of the radical utilitarian philosopher Peter Singer, whose 1972 essay “Famine, Affluence and Morality” has been a foundational E.A. text.
From New York Times • Dec. 9, 2022
In her book "Uneasy Street: The Anxieties of Affluence," Rachel Sherman finds that many of the rich don't admit to being more than middle-class, despite having several homes and other trappings of wealth.
From Salon • Nov. 27, 2022
Affluence is downplayed, and it’s hard to guess what people do.
From Seattle Times • Jun. 23, 2016
“Anyone can buy a one-off expensive car,” said Paul Nunes, who with Brian Johnson wrote Mass Affluence, a book on marketing strategies.
From "Class Matters" by The New York Times
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
