prosper

verb

pros·​per ˈprä-spər 

prospered; prospering ˈprä-sp(ə-)riŋ 

intransitive verb

1

: to succeed in an enterprise or activity

especially : to achieve economic success

2

: to become strong and flourishing

transitive verb

: to cause to succeed or thrive

Synonyms of prosper

• thrive
• flourish

Examples of prosper in a Sentence

She prospered as a real estate agent.

He hopes his business will prosper.

No crop can prosper in this heat.

Recent Examples on the Web

For four decades the appellation prospered on a reputation for concentration and the firm tannic grip of Syrah and Grenache grown in its famous schist soils. — Paul Caputo, Forbes.com, 27 June 2026

Tauruses usually follow the rules and do what is suggested to thrive and prosper because appeasing others is easier than arguing. — Lisa Stardust, PEOPLE, 26 June 2026

But Crosby also admitted that bookies continue to prosper in Alabama. — Keith O’Brien, New Yorker, 25 June 2026

One of the lessons of the last decade is that America cannot continue to be a country where a few areas prosper wildly while large parts of the country feel left behind. — Steve Case, Fortune, 24 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English prosperen, borrowed from Anglo-French prosperer "to promote, foster, be fortunate or successful," borrowed from Latin prosperāre "to cause to succeed, further" (Medieval Latin also, in passive, "to be granted success, succeed"), verbal derivative of prosperus "agreeable to one's wishes, successful, prosperous"

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Kids Definition

prosper

verb

pros·​per ˈpräs-pər 

prospered; prospering -p(ə-)riŋ 

1

: to succeed or make money in something one is doing

2

: thrive sense 1, flourish

3

: to cause to become prosperous