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

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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

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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

Conjugated Forms

Present

• have prospered
  perfect
• has prospered
  perfect 3rd person singular
• am prospering
  progressive 1st person singular
• have been prospering
  perfect progressive
• has been prospering
  perfect progressive 3rd person singular
• prospering
  participle
• are prospering
  progressive
• prospers
  singular 3rd person
• is prospering
  progressive 3rd person singular

Past

• had prospered
  perfect
• were prospering
  progressive plural
• had been prospering
  perfect progressive
• was prospering
  progressive singular
• prospered
  simple
• prospered
  participle

Future

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

In Psalm 73, Asaph pleads with God, wondering why good men suffer while the wicked prosper.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 5, 2026

Officials in Nevada, where casinos prosper, have emerged as some of the most forceful opponents of prediction markets.

From Barron's • May 14, 2026

He said the bank and local communities “can work together” to help people prosper by buying homes and getting higher-paying jobs.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 31, 2026

But recent rounds suggest he has developed qualities requiring mere preservation to prosper at Augusta.

From BBC • Mar. 23, 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

Related Words

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