prosper

verb pros·per \ ˈprä-spər \

Updated on: 10 May 2018

prospered; prospering play \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

See prosper defined for English-language learners

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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 of prosper from the Web

Shortly afterward, several shipwrights began working along the eastern shore, and by 1840, shipbuilding had become the community’s dominant activity, prospering for the next three decades.

— marcelle sussman fischler, New York Times, "Northport, N.Y.: Old-Time Charm in a Waterfront Village," 2 May 2018
Despite the lawsuit’s startling allegations – which described a workplace filled with after-hours trysts, favoritism, offensive comments and racial discrimination – the central defendant in the case continued to prosper in state government.

— marjie lundstrom, sacbee, "Sexual harassment settlement didn’t stop these retired California state workers from coming back | The Sacramento Bee," 19 Apr. 2018
But during FSU’s pre-spring workouts, Taggart notice a defensive back that has prospered for the Seminoles on offense this spring.

— safid deen, OrlandoSentinel.com, "FSU begins preparing for Virginia Tech opener in final week of spring practice," 11 Apr. 2018
But America can’t prosper without entrepreneurs and investors who take risks, so welcome to public trading.

— the editorial board, WSJ, "The Spotify Launch," 3 Apr. 2018
Douglas also argued that other southwestern Pennsylvania towns have recently prospered while Waynesburg has not and that nearby Morgantown, W.Va., has roughly 450 practicing lawyers.

— joseph weber, Fox News, "Trump to Pennsylvania to help GOP in close House race, appeal to blue-collar vote," 10 Mar. 2018
Bound by nature but free from politics, this Soviet ice colony endured and even prospered for more than four decades.

— nimrod nir, Newsweek, "Welcome to Pyramiden, a Mysterious Soviet Ghost Town, Where I Was Imprisoned by Nature—and My Poor Judgment," 14 Feb. 2018
Alexander’s chain of clothing stores was growing and prospering at the time.

— arthur hart, idahostatesman, "Moses Alexander the nation's first practicing Jewish governor | Idaho Statesman," 26 Jan. 2018
The fact that Skechers has prospered as rivals have struggled and vice versa isn’t that surprising if one considers its decidedly different core demographic: moms and dads with sore feet.

— spencer jakab, WSJ, "Skechers Pinches Investors," 20 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'prosper.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of prosper

Middle English, from Anglo-French prosperer, from Latin prosperare to cause to succeed, from prosperus favorable

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 14th century

in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

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prosper Synonyms

Phrases

come into one's own, cut it, cut the mustard, get ahead, get somewhere, get there, hack it, hit it big, make good, make it, make one's mark, make the grade;

PROSPER Defined for English Language Learners

prosper

verb

: to become very successful usually by making a lot of money
: to become very active, healthy, or strong

PROSPER Defined for Kids

prosper

verb pros·per \ ˈprä-spər \

prospered; prospering

1 : to become successful usually by making money

2 : ¹flourish 1, thrive

Learn More about prosper

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for prosper Spanish Central: Translation of prosper Nglish: Translation of prosper for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of prosper for Arabic speakers

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