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.

---

prosperity British  

/ prɒˈspɛrɪtɪ /

noun

1. the condition of prospering; success or wealth

---

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

"Investing in the security and prosperity of our Pacific neighbours makes our region safer and our economy stronger," Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said in a statement.

From Barron's ● Aug. 31, 2026

For almost a century, the U.S. dollar has symbolized prosperity, strength and stability around the world.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 30, 2026

Warsh said the labor market was in generally good shape, adding that inflation was inextricably linked to economic prosperity.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 28, 2026

"There is more to do to restore hope and build a stronger economy where prosperity is shared more fairly across Britain."

From BBC ● Aug. 19, 2026

Thus great sorrows for their children and grandchildren came upon Cadmus and Harmonia in old age after great prosperity.

From "Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes" by Edith Hamilton

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

O, let those cities that of plenty's cup And her prosperities so largely taste, With their superflous riots, hear these tears!

From Pericles by William Shakespeare

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

Did the prosperities and confident hopes with which the twentieth century opened, mark nothing more than a culmination of fortuitous good luck?

From The Salvaging Of Civilisation by H. G.

Related Words

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