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
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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:
Shouldn’t a museum, of all places, be where complex dialogues about art and humanity can prosper?
From Salon ● Sep. 5, 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
"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
And likewise, two men prosper equally employing two different means, one being cautious and the other impetuous.
From "The Prince" by Niccolò Machiavelli
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
"The realm prospers from such events, my lord," Grand Maester Pycelle said.
From "A Game of Thrones" by George R.R. Martin
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
Longevity prospered because these fit, caring and longer-lived grandmothers passed along their genes to more grandchildren.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 28, 2026
Unyoked from racial prejudices and prohibitions, Eston’s progeny prospered.
From Salon ● Jul. 27, 2026
I nodded without words; I would not stop; I could not while the lie still prospered.
From "The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume I: The Pox Party" by M.T. Anderson
Elections will create winners and losers in individual industries, but I’d rather own businesses capable of prospering across political cycles than build a portfolio around predicting Washington.
From MarketWatch ● Nov. 1, 2026
“That was really a joke about someone who is prospering off of your name and your brand but they don’t like you.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 28, 2026
Despite rising computer-memory costs and a tight supply chain that have been constraining phone sales, the company is prospering.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 4, 2026
Fundamentally superior stocks are prospering from a stunning earnings environment as well as a booming domestic economy.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 13, 2026
Even as they stood there, Ralph suspected him of secretly prospering.
From "Typical American" by Gish Jen
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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.
