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

Separating the franchise entries that have lived long and prospered from those that are mere redshirts. — Chris Snellgrove, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Aug. 2026

In the 19th century, railroads determined which cities prospered. — Ron Kitchens, Fortune, 5 Aug. 2026

The appetite for beaded jewelry has also prospered in office environments, championed by city dwellers as a statement-making accessory to elevate basic work outfits. — Alice Cary, Vogue, 27 July 2026

In China, people and businesses have rapidly embraced AI technologies that have prospered with state support. — ABC News, 26 July 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