Definition of rich
1 : having abundant possessions and especially material wealth
2a : having high value or qualityb : well supplied or endowed a city rich in traditions
3 : magnificently impressive : sumptuous
4a : vivid and deep in color a rich redb : full and mellow in tone and quality a rich voicec : having a strong fragrance rich perfumes
5 : highly productive or remunerative a rich mine
6a : having abundant plant nutrients rich soilb : highly seasoned, fatty, oily, or sweet rich foodsc : high in the combustible component a rich fuel mixtured : high in some component cholesterol-rich foods
7a : entertaining; also : laughableb : meaningful, significant rich allusionsc : lush rich meadows
8 : pure or nearly pure rich lime
richness
nounIndulge Your Inner Word Nerd
Examples of rich in a Sentence
Her investments have made her rich.
The dictionary is a rich source of information.
a rich and spicy soup
The food was a little too rich for me.
Their country has a rich cultural heritage.
This area has a rich history.
She has a rich vocabulary.
Recent Examples of rich from the Web
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The Green Fund is designed to help poor countries adapt to climate change and bypass some of the heavily polluting technologies formerly used by rich countries.
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The play is known for its rich language as well as (for some directors)
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Shouldn't Alabama, with one of the richest athletic departments in the country, help the state's less fortunate?
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Pizzas get ambitious here, with seafood-rich frutti di mare and Gorgonzola, honey, walnuts and pear among the options.
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The contest is potential preview of the 2018 midterms, and the growing influence of immigrant voters — particularly in voter rich Northern Virginia — mirror similar changes in other parts of the country that will hold elections next year.
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Buffett, who as chairman and largest shareholder in Berkshire Hathaway Inc. is the world’s fourth-richest person with a net worth of $74.5 billion, purchased the shares on May 19, according to the notification.
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Most live in voter-rich Northern Virginia, which has swelled with an influx of Democratic-leaning voters in recent years and has helped Democrats win every statewide election since 2009.
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In the mid-1990s, Myanmar’s army captured the Hpakant jadeite mine, the world’s richest, from the Kachin Independence Army, a rebel force of around 10,000 men, about 35 miles north of Indawgyi Lake.
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'rich'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Origin and Etymology of rich
Middle English riche, from Old English rīce; akin to Old High German rīhhi rich, Old English rīce kingdom, Old High German rīhhi, noun; all from prehistoric Germanic words borrowed from Celt words akin to Old Irish rí (genitive ríg) king — more at royal
First Known Use: before 12th century
Synonym Discussion of rich
RICH Defined for English Language Learners
rich
playDefinition of rich for English Language Learners
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: having a lot of money and possessions
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: very expensive and beautiful, impressive, etc.
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: having or supplying a large amount of something that is wanted or needed
RICH Defined for Kids
rich
playDefinition of rich for Students
richer
;richest
richly
adverbrichness
nounLearn More about rich
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See words that rhyme with rich Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for rich Spanish Central: Translation of rich Nglish: Translation of rich for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of rich for Arabic speakers
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