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

Other Pittsburgh connections to Forbes' list Pittsburgh natives David Tepper and Mark Cuban were on Forbes' latest ranking of the world's wealthiest people. —Michael Guise, CBS News, 11 Mar. 2026

Pegula, whose parents are principal owners of the NFL’s Buffalo Bills and the NHL’s Buffalo Sabres, acknowledges that her wealthy family background can cut two ways. —Douglas Robson, Los Angeles Times, 11 Mar. 2026

By Mia Gindis and Alex Longley, Bloomberg Oil climbed in another volatile trading session as traders weighed whether an emergency release of crude reserves by wealthy nations would blunt the impact of escalating disruptions to Middle East supplies. —Bloomberg, Mercury News, 11 Mar. 2026

Feimster plays a caddie; Wilson a rival golfer; Parnell a PGA Tour official; Tarver the influencer fiancée of Tatro’s Lance; and Hornsby a wealthy man who’s now dating Stacy. —Rick Porter, HollywoodReporter, 11 Mar. 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