riches

American  

[rich-iz] / ˈrɪtʃ ɪz /

plural noun

1. abundant and valuable possessions; wealth.

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riches British  

/ ˈrɪtʃɪz /

plural noun

1. wealth; an abundance of money, valuable possessions, or property

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Etymology

Origin of riches

1175–1225; Middle English, plural of Middle English riche wealth, power ( Old English rīce power, rule; cognate with German Reich realm); confused with Middle English richesse wealth < Old French, equivalent to riche wealthy (< Germanic; see rich) + -esse -ess

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Explanation

Use the word riches when you're talking about wealth, including money, treasures, and expensive belongings. Most people who buy lottery tickets dream of winning riches. Occasionally, someone who's born into poverty will grow up to earn riches through hard work and a lot of luck — but more often, people inherit their riches from wealthy relatives. You can also use riches in a figurative way, for something bountiful or profuse: "Let's go to the farmers market and see what riches are available!" Riches was originally richesse, a singular word that was misinterpreted as being plural.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

riches

This debacle is a first-world embarrassment of riches.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 7, 2026

As with so many of The Beatles’ signature albums, “Rubber Soul” proves to be an embarrassment of riches.

From Salon ● Sep. 28, 2026

The Chargers have an embarrassment of riches off the edges.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 7, 2026

And there is also a feeling that teams abroad increase the transfer fees they are asking for when English teams - with all their TV riches - show interest in their players.

From BBC ● Sep. 1, 2026

Despite their desperate hopes that the money would help them forget you, they soon understood no amount of riches could fill the hole you’d left in their lives.

From "The Mysterious Benedict Society" by Trenton Lee Stewart

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Related Words

• abundance
• richness
• treasure
• wealth

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