wealthy

¹

[wel-thee]

adjective

wealthier, wealthiest 

1. having great wealth; rich; affluent.

   a wealthy person; a wealthy nation.

   Synonyms: moneyed, well-to-do, prosperous
   Antonyms: poor

2. characterized by, pertaining to, or suggestive of wealth.

   a wealthy appearance.

3. rich in character, quality, or amount; abundant or ample.

   a novel that is wealthy in its psychological insights.

   Synonyms: copious
   Antonyms: scanty

Wealthy

²

[wel-thee]

noun

1. a variety of red apple, grown in the U.S., ripening in early autumn.

wealthy

/ ˈwɛlθɪ /

adjective

1. possessing wealth; affluent; rich

2. of, characterized by, or relating to wealth

3. abounding

   wealthy in friends

Other Word Forms

• wealthiness noun
• wealthily adverb
• overwealthy adjective
• quasi-wealthy adjective
• subwealthy adjective
• superwealthy adjective
• unwealthy adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of wealthy¹

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English; wealth + -y ¹

Origin of wealthy²

Origin uncertain

Synonym Study

See rich.

Example Sentences

Many cities that have fought state housing policies, such as Beverly Hills and Coronado, are predominantly wealthy and white.

From Los Angeles Times

As a beautiful, wealthy debutante, Katharine was introduced to many of the most eligible young men of the 1950s - and she met Prince Edward, Duke of Kent, a grandson of George V.

From BBC

The purpose of the cap is to ensure parity, preventing the wealthiest teams from outspending smaller markets to acquire the best players.

From Los Angeles Times

It has since sold more than six million copies and made her wealthy.

From BBC

Many ordinary Indonesians criticize the government for primarily serving the interests of the wealthy elite even as youth unemployment soars and wages stagnate.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• affluent 
• independent 
• moneyed 
• prosperous 
• upscale 
• well-heeled 
• well-off 
• well-to-do