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
NAEP Test Words
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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:
Shouldn’t a museum, of all places, be where complex dialogues about art and humanity can prosper?
From Salon ● Sep. 5, 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
The harder he worked, the deeper C.P. sank into the very rut that had swallowed his father, even as he watched the less talented and shiftless children of the wealthy prosper.
From "The Best of Enemies" by Osha Gray Davidson
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
Patriotism is wanting to make your city better so that it prospers.
From BBC ● Dec. 20, 2022
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
The Lone Star State buys more from Mexico than it sells, and it has prospered.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 19, 2026
Unyoked from racial prejudices and prohibitions, Eston’s progeny prospered.
From Salon ● Jul. 27, 2026
Since leaving England he has prospered in franchise cricket, ending Royal Challengers Bengaluru's wait for Indian Premier League success with consecutive titles in 2025 and 2026 and winning The Hundred with Trent Rockets in 2022.
From BBC ● Jul. 12, 2026
The U.S. has prospered for many reasons: a vast internal market, ample natural resources, a homeland unravaged by war and universal basic education.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 4, 2026
Driving into town in my rented car, I saw no obvious signs that Caldwell had ever prospered.
From "Geeks: How Two Lost Boys Rode the Internet Out of Idaho" by Jon Katz
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
Phil filled in with two talented conductors who were Dudamel fellows and are now enjoying prospering careers, Elim Chan and Gemma New.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 21, 2025
Who knows whether that will shift opinion polls that show other parties prospering at Labour's expense.
From BBC ● May 22, 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
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
