wealthy
1 Americanadjective
-
having great wealth; rich; affluent.
a wealthy person; a wealthy nation.
- Synonyms:
- moneyed, well-to-do, prosperous
- Antonyms:
- poor
-
characterized by, pertaining to, or suggestive of wealth.
a wealthy appearance.
-
rich in character, quality, or amount; abundant or ample.
a novel that is wealthy in its psychological insights.
- Synonyms:
- copious
- Antonyms:
- scanty
noun
adjective
-
possessing wealth; affluent; rich
-
of, characterized by, or relating to wealth
-
abounding
wealthy in friends
Related Words
See rich.
Other Word Forms
- overwealthy adjective
- quasi-wealthy adjective
- subwealthy adjective
- superwealthy adjective
- unwealthy adjective
- wealthily adverb
- wealthiness noun
Etymology
Origin of wealthy1
First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English; wealth + -y 1
Origin of Wealthy2
Origin uncertain
Explanation
If you have riches you are wealthy. Don't be misled into thinking "riches" means only money — to many people, to have a healthy family and to be surrounded by love is to be abundantly wealthy. The Old English word wela, via the Middle English welth, meaning "happiness and prosperity in abundance," is the source of our noun wealth. Although the Middle English wele meant "well-being," the word referred primarily to money and possessions. Many people still feel that way, but Henry David Thoreau offered a different view: "Wealth is the ability to fully experience life." That is, true wealth is having whatever means the most to you.
Vocabulary lists containing wealthy
Beowulf vocabulary
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!
A Wealth Of Words: Synonyms for "Rich"
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!
"Culture Clash"
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.
Two years later, John C. Doerfer, chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, likewise bowed out when it was revealed he had vacationed on the yacht of a wealthy friend.
From Salon • Apr. 16, 2026
For many wealthy individuals, the funds were akin to gaining access to the market’s velvet-roped sections, where the best returns tend to be kept for only the biggest names.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 15, 2026
Frank Bisignano, CEO of the Internal Revenue Service, said on Wednesday that the agency will go after every “bad actor,” including wealthy individuals and businesses, to collect unpaid taxes.
From Barron's • Apr. 15, 2026
A pocket watch received by the Carpathia's Captain Arthur Rostron, from the wealthy widow of one of those aboard who perished, sold at auction in 2024 for a record-breaking £1.56m.
From BBC • Apr. 14, 2026
On his journey from Milan, he stayed with a wealthy noblewoman named Isabella d’Este.
From "The Mona Lisa Vanishes" by Nicholas Day
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.
