wealthy

adjective

ˈwel-thē 

also ˈwelt-thē

wealthier; wealthiest

1

: having wealth : very affluent

2

: characterized by abundance : ample

wealthily

ˈwel-thə-lē 

adverb

wealthiness

ˈwel-thē-nəs 

noun

Synonyms of wealthy

• affluent
• rich

Choose the Right Synonym for wealthy

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 wealthy in a Sentence

He is a wealthy entrepreneur.

the wealthiest nations in the world

Recent Examples on the Web

While many wealthier Americans have enjoyed years of double-digit stock market gains, advancing home prices and rising wages, those earning less have been squeezed by the combination of higher prices, debt and a slowing job market. —Luciana Lopez, CNN Money, 10 Jan. 2026

Following the money Hinojosa and Bell have tied Abbott’s private-school voucher push to a broader argument about favoritism, arguing the program steers public dollars to mostly Christian schools while benefiting wealthy contributors. —Karen Brooks Harper, Dallas Morning News, 10 Jan. 2026

In Alfred Hitchcock’s film Rebecca, wealthy widow Maxim de Winter marries again and moves his new bride to Manderley, his English country estate. —James Horncastle, New York Times, 10 Jan. 2026

But wealthy elders aren’t in a big hurry to discuss those plans with the kids. —Daniel De Visé, USA Today, 10 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing wealthy

• the wealthy

Rhymes for wealthy

• healthy
• stealthy
• unhealthy

Kids Definition

wealthy

adjective

ˈwel-thē 

wealthier; wealthiest

1

: having wealth : rich

2

: marked by plenty : abundant

wealthiness

-thē-nəs 

noun