wealthy

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

Synonyms

• 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

He is a wealthy entrepreneur.

the wealthiest nations in the world

Recent Examples on the Web

Still, analysts see growing interest in the market, especially among a younger wealthy pool of buyers. —Miami Herald, 26 Sep. 2025

Proposition 50 supporters reported hundreds of thousands of individual donations, while the No camp has relied primarily on a single wealthy donor. —Ethan Varian, Mercury News, 26 Sep. 2025

The story begins, as so many others have as of late, with a powerful and wealthy clan facing an apparent succession crisis. —Angie Han, HollywoodReporter, 25 Sep. 2025

Encinitas may feel like a wealthy community, but there are many needy people in town, particularly older adults, social service leaders told the City Council on Wednesday night. —Barbara Henry, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

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