riches

plural noun

rich·​es ˈri-chəz How to pronounce riches (audio)
Synonyms of richesnext
: things that make one rich : wealth

Examples of riches in a Sentence

industrialists who had amassed riches of a magnitude that few had dreamed possible
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.
Through the years, the NFL has been a boon for the rags-to-riches tale. Michael Marot, Chicago Tribune, 20 Apr. 2026 That collaboration continued on the sketch series SCTV and in the mockumentaries of Christopher Guest, and culminated with her Emmy-winning portrayal of riches-to-rags matriarch Moira Rose on Schitt's Creek. Mekishana Pierre, Entertainment Weekly, 7 Apr. 2026 This is a Horatio Alger-style rags-to-riches, hooray-for-capitalism parable for a generation that has no idea who Horatio Alger was. Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 18 Mar. 2026 The book explores her rags-to-riches journey from a Las Vegas trailer park to podcast stardom and media mogul-hood as the founder of Dumb Blonde Productions. Brent Lang, Variety, 12 Mar. 2026 See All Example Sentences for riches

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, singular or plural, from richesse wealth, from Anglo-French richesce, from riche rich, of Germanic origin; akin to Old English rīce rich

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of riches was in the 13th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Riches.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/riches. Accessed 24 Apr. 2026.

Kids Definition

riches

plural noun
rich·​es ˈrich-əz How to pronounce riches (audio)
: things that make one rich : wealth
Etymology

Middle English richesse, originally not a plural but a singular noun meaning "richness"

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