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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

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Etymology

Origin of prosperity

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

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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

Carney has repeatedly cited the proposed pipeline to argue for Alberta's future prosperity within a united Canada.

From Barron's ● Oct. 15, 2026

"For years we've fought for this station because we know the difference it will make to residents, businesses and the future prosperity of the area," he added.

From BBC ● Oct. 4, 2026

Yet many others have been locked out of prosperity, and entrenched inflation is pressuring even those with six-figure salaries.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 30, 2026

It has also rejected comparisons to the prosperity gospel, the Christian theological movement that connects faith with material or financial rewards.

From Salon ● Sep. 26, 2026

So I’m a victim not of poverty but of prosperity.

From "Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America" by Barbara Ehrenreich

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

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

Such enterprise, such confidence, such strength, such interest in the local prosperities of the line, found their natural result in the absorption of the new bonds.

From Sevenoaks by J. G. (Josiah Gilbert) Holland

Random Word

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Related Words

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

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