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

Courtesy of Moreland Properties Taken together, scarcity, lifestyle, architectural ambition and a growing class of wealthy buyers make Lake Austin’s new pricing watermark feel less like a surprise than an inevitable bend. —Spencer Elliott, Forbes.com, 28 May 2026

Baxfendy and Veppanu aren’t yet available in other wealthy countries that are used as comparisons for reference pricing. —John Wilkerson, STAT, 28 May 2026

This balance is particularly relevant for the mass-affluent saver — too successful for robo advisors, not wealthy enough for a private family office — who must navigate these decisions largely on their own. —Daniel Fusch, USA Today, 28 May 2026

Does the fact that Burden is still pretty wealthy really taint this tale of heartbreak? —Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 28 May 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