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 10 generations, the American republic has prospered. —John Stossel, Oc Register, 30 May 2026

These drought-tolerant plants can keep every outdoor container garden and flower bed prospering even when rainfall is scarce and the heat is relentless. —Steve Bender, Southern Living, 19 May 2026

The agreement also established four goals for the year 2050, addressing protection and restoration, prospering with nature, sharing benefits fairly, and investment and collaboration. —Mark Vanderschaaf, Twin Cities, 18 May 2026

During the early 1900s, when copper, gold, zinc and silver production was booming, Bisbee prospered. —Catherine Garcia, TheWeek, 13 May 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