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

Ogilvie went on to become a successful, prosperous attorney in Chicago, and is today considered by close observers to be one of the state’s outstanding governors. —Jim Nowlan, Chicago Tribune, 19 Apr. 2026

Like Kodak ads, the Coloramas of the '50s reflected a prosperous, optimistic America. —Marcia Greenwood, USA Today, 15 Apr. 2026

Different cities succeed by different measures, but a robust infrastructure, a strong sense of identity, a vibrant cultural scene and a prosperous economy are necessary for any successful modern metropolis. —Mina Al-Oraibi, Time, 14 Apr. 2026

Conference rooms were identified by the names of other, more prosperous cities—London, Brussels. —Rebecca Mead, New Yorker, 13 Apr. 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