wealth
Americannoun
-
a great quantity or store of money, valuable possessions, property, or other riches.
the wealth of a city.
-
an abundance or profusion of anything; plentiful amount.
a wealth of imagery.
-
Economics.
-
all things that have a monetary or exchange value.
-
anything that has utility and is capable of being appropriated or exchanged.
-
-
rich or valuable contents or produce.
the wealth of the soil.
-
the state of being rich; prosperity; affluence.
persons of wealth and standing.
- Antonyms:
- poverty
-
Obsolete. happiness.
noun
-
a large amount of money and valuable material possessions
-
the state of being rich
-
a great profusion
a wealth of gifts
-
economics all goods and services with monetary, exchangeable, or productive value
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of wealth
First recorded in 1200–50; Middle English welth; equivalent to well 1 + -th 1; modeled on health
Explanation
The word wealth has many shades of meaning, but most involve having a lot of something — often money or something else that's valuable. You might have a wealth of experience, or you might have great personal wealth. First used in the mid-13th century, the noun wealth can mean having a lot of material goods or money. A person with this kind of wealth may have a chateau in Italy with a vineyard and a personal yacht. Wealth can also mean a big supply of something. The birth of a newborn baby will surely bring a wealth of happiness and joy to a family.
Vocabulary lists containing wealth
Tax Day Words
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
"A Suitcase of Seaweed" and "Immigrants Today"
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
"The Taming of the Shrew" by William Shakespeare, Act I
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
Many crypto-centric firms have expanded into traditional financial services such as equities trading and wealth management to grow less dependent on a notoriously volatile market for digital currencies.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 6, 2026
Mining companies see enormous wealth in mineral deposits scattered across the seabed, but the fledgling industry has for years been held back by environmental concerns.
From Barron's ● Aug. 6, 2026
In California, backers of the wealth tax say the state could take in $100 billion.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 5, 2026
That is why the wealth data and the public mood point in opposite directions.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 5, 2026
And somewhere, at the end of a long list of uneven swaps, they imagined the wealth of kings.
From "The Many Assassinations of Samir, the Seller of Dreams" by Daniel Nayeri
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.
