prosperous

adjective

pros·​per·​ous ˈprä-sp(ə-)rəs 

1

: auspicious, favorable

2

a

: marked by success or economic well-being

b

: enjoying vigorous and healthy growth : flourishing

prosperously adverb

prosperousness noun

Synonyms of prosperous

• thriving
• prospering
• successful
• wealthy
• golden
• booming

Examples of prosperous in a Sentence

The company had a prosperous year.

He predicted a prosperous future.

Recent Examples on the Web

For decades, Burnham argues, British governments of both parties have failed the seventy per cent of the population that lives outside of Southeast England, the most prosperous part of the country. — John Cassidy, New Yorker, 20 July 2026

Miguel learns that the boy had been taken by Miguel’s parents and the parents of his friends after their once-prosperous village in Veracruz took a major hit. — Emily Blackwood, PEOPLE, 17 July 2026

Congressional District first and will work to build a stronger, safer, and more prosperous future for our families, our communities, and our country. — Belinda Keiser, Sun Sentinel, 9 July 2026

The first half, which takes place in 1923-24, revolves around Tatos Cartozian, a prosperous rug merchant living with his family in Portland, Ore. — Theater Critic, Los Angeles Times, 8 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin prosperus "agreeable to one's wishes, successful, (of omens) propitious" (going back to *pro-sparo-, from pro- pro- entry 2 + *sparo-, going back to Indo-European *sph₁-ró- "thriving") + -ous -ous — more at speed entry 1

Note: An apparently traditional explanation is recorded by the fourth/fifth century grammarian Nonius Marcellus, namely, that prosperus was in origin from the phrase prō spērē "in conformity with one's hope" (spērē being taken as a variant of spē, ablative of spēs "hope"), though this may best be regarded as a folk etymology. It fails to account for the short e in prosperus.

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

prosperous

adjective

pros·​per·​ous ˈpräs-p(ə-)rəs 

1

: having or showing success or financial good fortune

2

: strong and healthy in growth

prosperously adverb