wealthy

1 of 2

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

wealthiness

2 of 2

noun

wealth·​i·​ness -thēnə̇s 

-thin-

plural -es

: the quality or state of being wealthy : richness, opulence

Synonyms of wealthy

Adjective

• 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

Adjective

He is a wealthy entrepreneur.

the wealthiest nations in the world

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The plot follows a wealthy family whose lives fall apart after their young nanny disappears during a summer holiday and the family’s secrets and buried guilt rise to the surface. — Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 14 Oct. 2026

The series follows an on-off-on romance between Noah and Nick (Gabriel Guevara), the son of her mother’s new and uber-wealthy husband. — Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 13 Oct. 2026

The business model was produce 100 episodes of a network situation comedy, and then go sell it into syndication reruns, and become wealthy. — Michael Schneider, Variety, 13 Oct. 2026

Aunt Jackie was a sophisticated and lovely young photographer from another wealthy East Coast family. — Kerry Kennedy, Vanity Fair, 13 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

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