thrive

verb

ˈthrīv 

thrived or throve ˈthrōv  ; thrived also thriven ˈthri-vən  ; thriving ˈthrī-viŋ 

intransitive verb

1

: to grow vigorously : flourish

thriving emotionally/intellectually/spiritually

Many annuals and perennials need plenty of sunlight to thrive.

—Lauren David

2

: to gain in wealth or possessions : prosper

One restaurant thriving as lower income consumers pull back is Olive Garden.

—Francisco Velasquez

3

: to progress toward or realize a goal despite or because of circumstances

thrives under pressure

—often used with on

thrives on conflict

thriver

ˈthrī-vər 

noun

Synonyms of thrive

• flourish
• prosper

Examples of thrive in a Sentence

these plants thrive with relatively little sunlight

going to a school for gifted students will help him thrive as a musical prodigy

Recent Examples on the Web

Before 1930, the trail thrived with free campgrounds, travel bureaus, and publications, but the advent of the route numbering system, created by the state of Wisconsin in 1918, caused named roads to fade into obscurity. — Shelley Jones, Chicago Tribune, 2 Nov. 2026

Unlike many mosquito species that bite mostly at dawn and dusk, the mosquitoes carrying dengue feed aggressively during daytime hours and thrive in humid residential environments. — Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 2 Nov. 2026

In 2019, researchers examining Centrosaurus bones found recent organic material and thriving microbial communities, illustrating how fossil bone can become a habitat with chemistry distinct from surrounding sediment. — New Atlas, 2 Nov. 2026

But perhaps more significantly, the shops and storefronts in the next-door buildings that Lovley and Valenti put up previously appear to be thriving despite generally tough times for new bricks-and-mortar locations. — Don Stacom, Hartford Courant, 1 Nov. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Old Norse thrīfask, probably reflexive of thrīfa to grasp

First Known Use

12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing thrive

• thrive on

Rhymes for thrive

• dive
• drive
• five
• hive
• jive
• live
• strive
• alive
• archive
• arrive
• beehive
• connive

Kids Definition

thrive

verb

ˈthrīv 

thrived or throve ˈthrōv  ; thrived also thriven ˈthriv-ən  ; thriving ˈthrī-viŋ 

1

: to grow vigorously : do well : flourish

2

: to gain in wealth or possessions : prosper