rich

adjective

ˈrich 

1

: having abundant possessions and especially material wealth

investments that made them very rich

a rich area/country/neighborhood

His family is filthy/stinking rich.

2

a

: having high value or quality

b

: well supplied or endowed

a city rich in traditions

3

: magnificently impressive : sumptuous

rich decor

4

a

: vivid and deep in color

a rich red

b

: full and mellow in tone and quality

a rich voice

c

: having a strong fragrance

rich perfumes

5

: highly productive or remunerative

a rich mine

6

a

: having abundant plant nutrients

rich soil

b

: highly seasoned, fatty, oily, or sweet

rich foods

c

: high in the combustible component

a rich fuel mixture

d

: high in some component

cholesterol-rich foods

7

a

: entertaining entry 1

also : laughable

She thinks we're slow? Oh, that's rich! She's farthest behind.

b

: meaningful, significant

rich allusions

c

: lush

rich meadows

8

: pure or nearly pure

rich lime

richness noun

see also:

strike it rich

Synonyms of rich

• wealthy
• affluent

Choose the Right Synonym for rich

rich, wealthy, affluent, opulent mean having goods, property, and money in abundance.

rich implies having more than enough to gratify normal needs or desires.

became rich through shrewd investing

wealthy stresses the possession of property and intrinsically valuable things.

wealthy landowners

affluent suggests prosperity and an increasing wealth.

an affluent society

opulent suggests lavish expenditure and display of great wealth, more often applying to things than people.

an opulent mansion

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 on the Web

Each contains a proprietary ingredient combination named VitaMega Complex, consisting of vitamin-C rich Kakadu plum, inositol to strengthen the hair fiber, and sacha inchi, an omega-dense oil that nourishes hair. — Jenny B. Fine, Footwear News, 25 Aug. 2026

Completed in 1880 as part of the race to reach Leadville’s rich silver mines, the line once served as a major passenger and freight corridor through the Rocky Mountains. — Jocelyn Rowley, Denver Post, 25 Aug. 2026

Not only was the meat really tender and flavorful, with a garnish of cilantro and onion, but the tacos were served with a small bowl of rich, red broth used for cooking the quesabirria — and for dipping. — Idaho Statesman, 25 Aug. 2026

Fortune estimates that the migration from California of some of America’s richest people could cost that state $29 billion that could have been collected from billionaires under California’s proposed 5% tax on billionaire wealth. — Miami Herald, 25 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

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 Celtic words akin to Old Irish rí (genitive ríg) king — more at royal

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing rich

• get rich quick
• idle rich
• strike it rich
• the rich

Rhymes for rich

• bitch
• ditch
• fiche
• glitch
• hitch
• ich
• itch
• kitsch
• lich
• mitch
• niche
• pitch

Kids Definition

rich

adjective

ˈrich 

1

: having great wealth : wealthy

2

a

: having high value

a rich harvest

b

: costly sense 1, valuable

rich robes

3

a

: having a large supply of some usually desirable quality or thing

a land rich in resources

b

: of pleasingly strong odor

rich perfumes

c

: very productive : fruitful, fertile

a rich mine

rich soils

d

: containing much seasoning, fat, or sugar

rich food

e

: high in fuel content

a rich mixture

4

a

: vivid and deep in color

rich red

b

: full and mellow in tone and quality

rich voice

5

: very amusing

a play with many rich lines

richness noun

Biographical Definition

Rich

biographical name

ˈrich 

Adrienne Cecile 1929–2012 American poet