wealthy

¹

[wel-thee]

adjective

wealthier, wealthiest 

1. having great wealth; rich; affluent.

   a wealthy person; a wealthy nation.

   Synonyms: moneyed, well-to-do, prosperous
   Antonyms: poor

2. characterized by, pertaining to, or suggestive of wealth.

   a wealthy appearance.

3. rich in character, quality, or amount; abundant or ample.

   a novel that is wealthy in its psychological insights.

   Synonyms: copious
   Antonyms: scanty

Wealthy

²

[wel-thee]

noun

1. a variety of red apple, grown in the U.S., ripening in early autumn.

wealthy

/ ˈwɛlθɪ /

adjective

1. possessing wealth; affluent; rich

2. of, characterized by, or relating to wealth

3. abounding

   wealthy in friends

Other Word Forms

• wealthiness noun
• wealthily adverb
• overwealthy adjective
• quasi-wealthy adjective
• subwealthy adjective
• superwealthy adjective
• unwealthy adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of wealthy¹

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English; wealth + -y ¹

Origin of wealthy²

Origin uncertain

Synonym Study

See rich.

Example Sentences

"We cannot allow good health to become a luxury for the wealthiest by limiting access to weight-loss drugs to those who can pay privately," argues Katharine Jenner, executive director of Obesity Health Alliance.

From BBC

The salary cap limits what teams can spend on player payroll to ensure parity and prevent the wealthiest teams from outspending smaller-market teams to acquire the best player.

From Los Angeles Times

The pier is a tourist attraction in the wealthy Gulf Coast enclave and was badly damaged by Hurricane Ian in 2022.

From Salon

He’s a very wealthy man who could easily move to another lucrative entertainment opportunity pretty much any time he wants.

From Salon

He said he helped women find accommodation through landlords, and added that women followed him to parties because of his wealthy Dubai contacts.

From BBC

Related Words

• affluent 
• independent 
• moneyed 
• prosperous 
• upscale 
• well-heeled 
• well-off 
• well-to-do