prosperity

[pro-sper-i-tee]

noun

plural

prosperities 

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

/ prɒˈspɛrɪtɪ /

noun

1. the condition of prospering; success or wealth

Other Word Forms

• nonprosperity noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of prosperity¹

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

Example Sentences

"We are suffering the pangs of growth because India knows how to handle poverty, not prosperity."

Read more on Barron's

Far from threatening our prosperity, legal immigration enhances it.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

“Only those who are willing to embrace bold reforms today and bring younger voters into the debate will secure shared prosperity for generations to come,” Javorcik said.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

For 40 years, Japan’s money held up the floorboards of American prosperity.

Read more on MarketWatch

Xi Jinping, presiding over the world’s second-largest economy, has shown the opposite: that prosperity alone cannot satisfy what St. Augustine called humanity’s “restless heart.”

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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

When To Use

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.