riches
Americanplural noun
plural noun
Etymology
Origin of riches
1175–1225; Middle English, plural of Middle English riche wealth, power ( Old English rīce power, rule; cognate with German Reich realm); confused with Middle English richesse wealth < Old French, equivalent to riche wealthy (< Germanic; see rich) + -esse -ess
Explanation
Use the word riches when you're talking about wealth, including money, treasures, and expensive belongings. Most people who buy lottery tickets dream of winning riches. Occasionally, someone who's born into poverty will grow up to earn riches through hard work and a lot of luck — but more often, people inherit their riches from wealthy relatives. You can also use riches in a figurative way, for something bountiful or profuse: "Let's go to the farmers market and see what riches are available!" Riches was originally richesse, a singular word that was misinterpreted as being plural.
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.
For years, she read tarot cards for tourists who poured out of cruise ships eager to learn of new loves or fabulous riches.
From Barron's ● Aug. 18, 2026
At a time when market leaders are all about the promise of future AI riches, it’s comforting to own shares in an old-school company that can afford to reward shareholders generously today.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 5, 2026
Infantino said every nation should benefit from the riches football creates.
From BBC ● Jul. 28, 2026
But those countries’ oil riches afford them leverage to push back on the U.S. presence, while Jordan — a resource-poor nation of some 11 million people — cannot.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 28, 2026
"Look yonder, Sancho; there are thirty or more monstrous giants. I shall engage them in fierce combat. And when I win, Sancho, we'll be on our way to riches with the spoils."
From "Adventures of Don Quixote" by Argentina Palacios
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.
