prosper

American  

[pros-per] / ˈprɒs pər /

verb (used without object)

• prospers,
  present (3rd person singular)
• prospered,
  past participle,  past
• prospering
  present participle

1. to be successful or fortunate, especially in financial respects; thrive; flourish.

   Antonyms:

   fail

---

verb (used with object)

• prospers,
  present (3rd person singular)
• prospered,
  past participle,  past
• prospering
  present participle

1. Archaic. to make successful or fortunate.

prosper British  

/ ˈprɒspə /

verb

1. (usually intr) to thrive, succeed, etc, or cause to thrive, succeed, etc in a healthy way

---

Usage

What does prosper mean? Prosper means to be successful or fortunate, especially in a financial or material way. Prosper often implies success in terms of wealth, health, and happiness. But it can also be used broadly, much like the words succeed, thrive, and flourish. You can say that someone is prospering in the present, but the word is perhaps most commonly used in the context of what will happen in the future. Prosper is associated with its use in the phrase “live long and prosper,” the catchphrase of the character Spock in the Star Trek series of TV shows and movies. Someone who prospers can be described as prosperous. The noun prosperity refers to a state of success. Example: If we can continue to maintain this level of quality, our company will continue to prosper.

Synonym Usage

See succeed.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• unprospered
  adjective
• unprospering
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Participles

• prospering
  present
• prospered
  past

Conjugated Forms

Present

• prosper
  simple
• prospers
  simple
• have prospered
  perfect
• has prospered
  perfect
• am prospering
  progressive
• are prospering
  progressive
• is prospering
  progressive
• have been prospering
  perfect progressive
• has been prospering
  perfect progressive

Past

• prospered
  simple
• had prospered
  perfect
• was prospering
  progressive
• were prospering
  progressive
• had been prospering
  perfect progressive

Future

• will prosper
  simple
• will have prospered
  perfect
• will be prospering
  progressive
• will have been prospering
  perfect progressive

Etymology

Origin of prosper

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English prosperen, Old French prosperer, from Latin prosperāre “to make happy,” derivative of prosperus prosperous

Explanation

As any fan of Star Trek knows, “live long and prosper” is good advice. The verb prosper means to do well, succeed, or thrive. The verb prosper commonly means to generate wealth, as in “she hopes to prosper from her new investments.” But more generally it means “grow stronger” or "flourish" — crops will prosper when they have adequate sun and water, and rescued animals can prosper in a loving home. You can also prosper from good advice or a wise decision: for example, “cheaters never prosper” is one piece of advice that might help you prosper.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

prosper prospers prospered prospering

But ask whether it is helping people prosper, and the answer is an easy yes.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 24, 2026

"I know he wants the country to prosper."

From BBC ● Aug. 12, 2026

“We can make it so they can prosper, but we prosper with them,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 12, 2026

This particular grift may have failed, but in a world built on massive structural inequality, grifters tend to prosper.

From Salon ● Aug. 2, 2026

Mama said that a transplanted bud doesn’t prosper.

From "Salt to the Sea" by Ruta Sepetys

Yet to our mind the remarkable news of this anniversary is that our free republic has stood for a quarter millennium and prospers still.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 2, 2026

In his budget speech, Champagne warned that Canada is facing "a time of profound change" and that "bold and swift action is needed" to ensure the country prospers.

From BBC ● Nov. 4, 2025

Western analysts say the counteroffensive, even if it prospers, won’t end the war which started with Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022.

From Washington Times ● Jul. 4, 2023

Now the area prospers largely from the tourist trade.

From Seattle Times ● May 22, 2023

St Emilion is now secure under his patronage, and the convent prospers as a result of my commerce with the local merchants and farmers, so Mother Ermentrude and the bishop are pleased.

From "Ophelia" by Lisa Klein

Barabak: Becerra right away lays down the man o’ the people card, noting his parents came to California with just $12 and prospered.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 1, 2026

“Under his tenure, China has prospered immensely. He’s really done an excellent job.”

From MarketWatch ● Sep. 23, 2026

Unyoked from racial prejudices and prohibitions, Eston’s progeny prospered.

From Salon ● Jul. 27, 2026

There were busts as well as booms - oil has always been a volatile commodity - but on the whole Aberdeen prospered, with the Granite City acquiring a new nickname: Europe's oil capital.

From BBC ● Apr. 29, 2026

Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, Cambodia prospered and was self-sufficient.

From "First They Killed My Father: A Daughter of Cambodia Remembers" by Loung Ung

Folks in Richland who are prospering probably don’t see it that way.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 3, 2026

Fundamentally superior stocks are prospering from a stunning earnings environment as well as a booming domestic economy.

From MarketWatch ● Jul. 13, 2026

When they moved in 25 years ago, the soil was rich and trees were prospering, so Hofvendahl planted more, and more, and then more, turning his yard into an orchard.

From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 20, 2025

Many who left because life was so tough are now getting by abroad rather than prospering.

From BBC ● Dec. 10, 2024

Even as they stood there, Ralph suspected him of secretly prospering.

From "Typical American" by Gish Jen

Related Words

• bloom
• blossom
• catch on
• do well
• flourish
• multiply
• thrive