prosperity

American  

[pro-sper-i-tee] / prɒˈspɛr ɪ ti /

noun

• prosperities
  plural

1. a successful, flourishing, or thriving condition, especially in financial respects; good fortune.

2. prosperities, prosperous circumstances, characterized by financial success or good fortune.

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prosperity British  

/ prɒˈspɛrɪtɪ /

noun

1. the condition of prospering; success or wealth

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Usage

What does prosperity mean? Prosperity is success or the state of success, especially financial or material success. Prosperity often implies success in terms of wealth, health, and happiness. But it can also be used more broadly. The verb prosper means to achieve prosperity. Someone who achieves prosperity can be described as prosperous. The word prosperity is often paired with words like peace and wealth, such as when wishing people well, as in May your year be full of peace and prosperity. Example: You can achieve prosperity through dedication and hard work.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• nonprosperity
  noun

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• prosperities
  plural

Etymology

Origin of prosperity

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English prosperite, from Old French, from Latin prosperitās; see prosperous, -ity

Explanation

Use prosperity to refer to the state of being successful. In the US, the decades following World War II were characterized by rising prosperity, with large numbers moving into the middle class. Prosperity usually means the type of success that comes from having a lot of money. Our modern English word derives from Middle English prosperite, borrowed through Old French from Latin prosperus "favorable." The Latin word also means "fortunate," and the word prosperity does have an element of good luck.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

prosperity prosperities

Her parents, who were in the military, “were able to get to financial prosperity through hard work and grit and determination,” she said.

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 8, 2026

The main plaza of San Ángel Zurumucapio, surrounded by avocado orchards that have brought prosperity to the town.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 6, 2026

Wright said the deals signed by Venezuela with US oil major Chevron, GE Vernova, a General Electric offshoot, and Italy's ENI were "critical in starting this ball rolling of peace, opportunity, and prosperity" in Venezuela.

From Barron's ● Sep. 2, 2026

But it said success "should be judged not simply by whether local economies grow, but by whether that growth leads to greater prosperity, wider opportunity and better lives for the people and communities within them".

From BBC ● Sep. 2, 2026

The first year of their marriage was marked by uncommon prosperity and joy, but it was also their last.

From "Ash" by Malinda Lo

Studying the composition and other prosperities the inner three planets could also improve understanding how unusual ultra-low density super puff planets formed, the researchers said.

From Science Daily ● Dec. 3, 2024

Drawing on the inheritance of an almost folkloric wisdom, Garcia is unafraid of suggesting that passion is "a frail interlude between the prosperities of loss."

From Time Magazine Archive

You must share together henceforward the prosperities and reverses, the joys and sorrows of this life.

From Rule of the Monk or, Rome in the Nineteenth Century by Giuseppe Garibaldi

She was surrounded by all the prosperities and all the felicities of this life.

From Political Women, Vol. 1 by Sutherland Menzies

Among the high civilisations he seems to be very comfortably situated indeed, and to have more than his proportionate share of the prosperities going.

From The Man That Corrupted Hadleyburg and Other Stories by Mark Twain

Related Words

• accomplishment
• benefit
• boom
• expansion
• growth
• inflation
• interest
• riches
• success
• wealth
• welfare
• well-being