prosper
Americanverb (used without object)
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prospers,
present (3rd person singular)
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prospered,
past participle, past
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prospering
present participle
verb (used with object)
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prospers,
present (3rd person singular)
-
prospered,
past participle, past
-
prospering
present participle
verb
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
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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prospersimple
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prosperssimple
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have prosperedperfect
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has prosperedperfect
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am prosperingprogressive
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are prosperingprogressive
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is prosperingprogressive
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have been prosperingperfect progressive
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has been prosperingperfect progressive
Past
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prosperedsimple
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had prosperedperfect
-
was prosperingprogressive
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were prosperingprogressive
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had been prosperingperfect progressive
Future
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.
Vocabulary lists containing prosper
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The Call of the Wild
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Donald Trump Inauguration Address- January 20, 2017
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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.
See Examples For:
"You have built resilience across our public services, businesses and communities, equipping us all to prosper in our ever-evolving digital world," the monarch added.
From BBC ● Oct. 10, 2026
Leonard Nimoy as Mr Spock in Star Trek performs the Vulcan salute, which is usually accompanied with the words "live long and prosper"
From BBC ● Sep. 1, 2026
“We can make it so they can prosper, but we prosper with them,” he said.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 12, 2026
O’Neill will be aware she can’t rely on oil and gas prices remaining high forever and will need to ensure the company can prosper when the backdrop isn’t as supportive, he adds.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 5, 2026
Your arguments will tend to prosper if they are founded on the common assumptions of your audience—or, in special cases, if the audience is minded to defer to your authority.
From "Words Like Loaded Pistols" by Sam Leith
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
“When Indonesia prospers, the region prosters,” Lee said.
From Seattle Times ● Apr. 29, 2024
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
Who lives, who dies; who suffers, who prospers: The world is a riddle.
From Washington Post ● Feb. 26, 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
Gordon Peterson prospered as a real-estate developer in Kansas.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 1, 2026
He prospered from his farming so much that he was able to purchase the manor of Woolsthorpe in 1623, gaining the title of Lord of the Manor.
From "The Scientists" by John Gribbin
Fundamentally superior stocks are prospering from a stunning earnings environment as well as a booming domestic economy.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 13, 2026
Since their reintroduction to London three years ago, the colony has been prospering.
From BBC ● Jul. 1, 2026
“If we do all that, and everybody’s prospering and they’re all a part of it, and there’s upside for everybody, that’s going to naturally be a bulwark against future conflicts there. Because everybody’s thriving.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 29, 2025
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
I have now concluded, sir,” said Joe, rising from his chair, “and, Pip, I wish you ever well and ever prospering to a greater and a greater height.”
From "Great Expectations" by Charles Dickens
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
