prosper

verb

pros·​per ˈprä-spər How to pronounce prosper (audio)
prospered; prospering ˈprä-sp(ə-)riŋ How to pronounce prosper (audio)

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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Peas take nitrogen from the air and fix it into the soil, which produces a natural fertilizer that helps spinach and other plants grow and prosper. Heather Bien, Southern Living, 18 Oct. 2025 Steve Lang, chief executive officer of Mon Cheri Bridals and chair of the North American Formal Apparel Association, will host a three-day workshop in Chicago to advise stores how to prosper and be competitive in this economy. Rosemary Feitelberg, Footwear News, 14 Oct. 2025 Investors assume the current leaders will remain dominant, that even the laggards will prosper, and that any company with a small chance of massive success is worth backing. Yun Li, CNBC, 13 Oct. 2025 Of all the fandoms, the Swifties have persevered and prospered. Choire Sicha, CNN Money, 6 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for prosper

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of prosper was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Prosper.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prosper. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

prosper

verb
pros·​per ˈpräs-pər How to pronounce prosper (audio)
prospered; prospering -p(ə-)riŋ How to pronounce prosper (audio)
1
: to succeed or make money in something one is doing
2
3
: to cause to become prosperous

More from Merriam-Webster on prosper

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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