rich

[ rich ]

/ rɪtʃ /

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adjective, rich·er, rich·est.

having wealth or great possessions; abundantly supplied with resources, means, or funds; wealthy: a rich man;a rich nation.

abounding in natural resources: a rich territory.

having wealth or valuable resources (usually followed by in): a country rich in traditions.

abounding (usually followed by in or with): a countryside rich in beauty;a design rich with colors.

of great value or worth; valuable: a rich collection of antique vases.

(of food) delectably and perhaps unhealthfully spicy, or sweet and abounding in butter or cream: a rich gravy;a rich pastry.

costly, expensively elegant, or fine, as dress or jewels.

elaborately abundant; sumptuous: a rich feast.

using valuable materials or characterized by elaborate workmanship, as buildings or furniture.

abounding in desirable elements or qualities: a man rich in kindness.

(of wine) strong and finely flavored.

(of color) deep, strong, or vivid: rich purple.

full and mellow in tone: rich sounds;a rich voice.

strongly fragrant; pungent: a rich odor.

producing or yielding abundantly: a rich soil.

abundant, plentiful, or ample: a rich supply.

Automotive. (of a mixture in a fuel system) having a relatively high ratio of fuel to air (contrasted with lean² def. 5).

Informal.

highly amusing.
ridiculous; absurd.

noun Usually the rich .(used with a plural verb)

rich persons collectively: new tax shelters for the rich.

OTHER WORDS FOR rich

1 well-to-do, moneyed.

7 precious, high-priced, dear.

12 intense, vibrant.

14 aromatic.

15 fruitful, productive, prolific, luxuriant.

16 bountiful, copious, abounding, bounteous.

See synonyms for rich on Thesaurus.com

OPPOSITES FOR rich

1-5, 15, 16 poor.

See antonyms for rich on Thesaurus.com

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of rich

First recorded before 900; Middle English; Old English rīce (adjective), ultimately from Celtic; cognate with German reich “wealthy”; akin to Latin rēx, Sanskrit rājan “king”

synonym study for rich

1. Rich, wealthy, affluent all indicate abundance of possessions. Rich is the general word; it may imply that possessions are newly acquired: an oilman who became rich overnight. Wealthy suggests permanence, stability, and appropriate surroundings: a wealthy banker. Affluent usually suggests a generous amount of income, with a high standard of living and some social prestige and privilege: an affluent family.

OTHER WORDS FROM rich

richly, adverbrichness, nouno·ver·rich, adjectiveo·ver·rich·ly, adverb

o·ver·rich·ness, nounsu·per·rich, adjective, nounul·tra·rich, adjective, noun

Other definitions for rich (2 of 2)

Rich

[ rich ]

/ rɪtʃ /

noun

Adrienne, 1929–2012, U.S. poet and feminist.

a male given name, form of Richard.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use rich in a sentence

He wanted to be the best, the most successful, and the richest.
The High Society Bank Robber of the 1800s|J. North Conway|October 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
You see claims that John D. Rockefeller was “the richest person in history.”
Up To a Point: Robber Barons Make Way For Robber Nerds|P. J. O’Rourke|August 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Jemima Khan, nee Goldsmith, is the daughter of one of Britain's richest men, Sir Jimmy Goldsmith, who died in 1997.
Masseuse Claims Assault by Russell Brand|Tom Sykes|August 2, 2014|DAILY BEAST
They represent only 0.16 percent of our population (316 million), and we are the richest nation on earth.
Is it Time to Send Lady Liberty Back to France?|Gene Robinson|July 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST

New York was the richest city in the richest country in the world—in all of history.
When New York City Hit Its Stride|Allen Barra|July 17, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Large divans of the richest crimson and violet brocades lined the walls, while ample curtains of the same served in lieu of doors.
Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, Volume 60, No. 372, October 1846|Various
The Marshal found himself in the congenial position of absolute ruler of the richest provinces of Spain.
Napoleon's Marshals|R. P. Dunn-Pattison
A gilded coach, drawn by the most beautiful horses in the richest trappings, sweeps along the streets—a gorgeous vision.
Madame Roland, Makers of History|John S. C. Abbott
The cultivation is very carefully conducted on the richest soil.
Tobacco; Its History, Varieties, Culture, Manufacture and Commerce|E. R. Billings.
There was a young statesman then in Paris named Barbaroux, of remarkable beauty of person, and of the richest mental endowments.
Madame Roland, Makers of History|John S. C. Abbott

British Dictionary definitions for rich (1 of 2)

rich

/ (rɪtʃ) /

adjective

well supplied with wealth, property, etc; owning much
(as collective noun; preceded by the)the rich

(when postpositive , usually foll by in) having an abundance of natural resources, minerals, etca land rich in metals

producing abundantly; fertilerich soil

(when postpositive , usually foll by in or with) well supplied (with desirable qualities); abundant (in)a country rich with cultural interest

of great worth or quality; valuablea rich collection of antiques

luxuriant or prolifica rich growth of weeds

expensively elegant, elaborate, or fine; costlya rich display

(of food) having a large proportion of flavoursome or fatty ingredients, such as spices, butter, or cream

having a full-bodied flavoura rich ruby port

(of a smell) pungent or fragrant

(of colour) intense or vivid; deepa rich red

(of sound or a voice) full, mellow, or resonant

(of a fuel-air mixture) containing a relatively high proportion of fuelCompare weak (def. 12)

very amusing, laughable, or ridiculousa rich joke; a rich situation

noun

See riches

Word Origin for rich

Old English rīce (originally of persons: great, mighty), of Germanic origin, ultimately from Celtic (compare Old Irish rī king)

British Dictionary definitions for rich (2 of 2)

Rich

/ (rɪtʃ) /

noun

Adrienne. 1929–2012, US poet and feminist writer; her volumes of poetry include Snapshots of a Daughter-in-Law (1963) and Diving Into the Wreck (1973)

Buddy, real name Bernard Rich . 1917–87, US jazz drummer and band leader

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Idioms and Phrases with rich

rich

In addition to the idiom beginning with rich

rich as Croesus

also see:

embarrassment of riches
from rags to riches
strike it rich

rich

OTHER WORDS FOR rich

OPPOSITES FOR rich

Origin of rich

synonym study for rich

OTHER WORDS FROM rich

Other definitions for rich (2 of 2)

Words related to rich

How to use rich in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for rich (1 of 2)

Word Origin for rich

British Dictionary definitions for rich (2 of 2)

Other Idioms and Phrases with rich