wealthy

1 of 2

adjective

ˈwel-thē 

also ˈwelt-thē

wealthier; wealthiest

1

: having wealth : very affluent

2

: characterized by abundance : ample

wealthily

ˈwel-thə-lē 

adverb

wealthiness

ˈwel-thē-nəs 

noun

wealthiness

2 of 2

noun

wealth·​i·​ness -thēnə̇s 

-thin-

plural -es

: the quality or state of being wealthy : richness, opulence

Synonyms of wealthy

Adjective

• affluent
• rich

Choose the Right Synonym for wealthy

rich, wealthy, affluent, opulent mean having goods, property, and money in abundance.

rich implies having more than enough to gratify normal needs or desires.

became rich through shrewd investing

wealthy stresses the possession of property and intrinsically valuable things.

wealthy landowners

affluent suggests prosperity and an increasing wealth.

an affluent society

opulent suggests lavish expenditure and display of great wealth, more often applying to things than people.

an opulent mansion

Examples of wealthy in a Sentence

Adjective

He is a wealthy entrepreneur.

the wealthiest nations in the world

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Their stories don’t prove that anyone who works hard becomes wealthy. — True Tamplin, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026

The reversal underscores how quickly the calculations of Asia’s wealthy can change. — Leonie Kidd, CNBC, 28 Aug. 2026

For now, the main considerations are cutting benefits for wealthier Americans or eliminating the cap on Social Security's payroll tax. — Ashley Lopez, NPR, 28 Aug. 2026

Mexican authorities regularly rescue exotic animals from properties owned by wealthy drug traffickers. — CBS News, 28 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing wealthy

• the wealthy

Rhymes for wealthy

• healthy
• stealthy
• unhealthy

Kids Definition

wealthy

adjective

ˈwel-thē 

wealthier; wealthiest

1

: having wealth : rich

2

: marked by plenty : abundant

wealthiness

-thē-nəs 

noun