thrive

[thrahyv]

verb (used without object)

thrived, throve, thrived, thriven. , thriving .

1. to prosper; be fortunate or successful.

   Synonyms: advance

2. to grow or develop vigorously; flourish.

   The children thrived in the country.

verb phrase

1. thrive on,  to do particularly well under specified conditions.

   Some plants are adapted to thrive on rainwater alone.

   She thrives on drama and chaos.

thrive

/ θraɪv /

verb

1. to grow strongly and vigorously

2. to do well; prosper

Other Word Forms

• thriver noun
• thrivingly adverb
• thriving adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of thrive¹

First recorded in 1150–1200; Middle English thriven, from Old Norse thrīfast “to thrive,” reflexive of thrīfa “to grasp”

Word History and Origins

Origin of thrive¹

C13: from Old Norse thrīfask to grasp for oneself, reflexive of thrīfa to grasp, of obscure origin

Synonym Study

See succeed.

Example Sentences

Author of “School Girls; Or, the African Mean Girls Play,” Bioh thrives as a dramatist of enclosed worlds.

From Los Angeles Times

The law directs agencies to manage horse populations to maintain a “thriving natural ecological balance.”

From Los Angeles Times

Devon Wildlife Trust's Tracey Hamston, who leads the project, said the animals were "once a key part of our thriving woodland wildlife, so it's good that they are back where they belong".

From BBC

Northern Ireland is very much part of the trend, with new record shops thriving and established businesses finding new customers.

From BBC

“Somebody, sometime, has got to take a stand and say democracy cannot survive, much less thrive with the level of big corporate and big government interference and intimidation in news.”

From Salon

Related Words

• bloom 
• blossom 
• boom 
• develop 
• flourish 
• grow 
• mushroom 
• prosper 
• shine 
• succeed 

When To Use

What does thrive mean?

To thrive is to grow and develop strongly.This sense of the word can be applied to people as well as other living things, including animals and plants.Thrive can also mean to be successful, to be fulfilled, or to develop successfully.Both senses of thrive are often discussed alongside the specific conditions, environment, or situation that allow or help someone or something to thrive. For example, babies thrive in loving homes with the proper nutrition and care. Wild animals tend to thrive when their natural habitat is preserved. Plants thrive when they receive the right amount of sunlight and water. A person might begin to thrive in their career when they work at a place where their talents are appreciated and they’re given the freedom to try new things.The adjective thriving can be used to describe someone or something that is developing successfully or that is being successful.Example: Being around other creative people really helps my writing thrive.