prosperous

adjective

pros·​per·​ous ˈprä-sp(ə-)rəs 

1

: auspicious, favorable

2

a

: marked by success or economic well-being

b

: enjoying vigorous and healthy growth : flourishing

prosperously adverb

prosperousness noun

Synonyms

• booming
• boomy
• flourishing
• golden
• halcyon
• healthy
• lush
• palmy
• prospering
• roaring
• successful
• thriving

Examples of prosperous in a Sentence

The company had a prosperous year.

He predicted a prosperous future.

Recent Examples on the Web

Looked at in a wealth sense, Fairfax and Montgomery aren’t nearly as prosperous as is assumed. —John Tamny, Forbes, 6 Dec. 2024

Scooter’s work ethic has resulted in a prosperous career. —Jennifer Pierce, USA TODAY, 6 Dec. 2024

But ultimately, this is the only way to ensure the future of a United States and a world that are safer, more prosperous, and freer. —Nancy Okail, Foreign Affairs, 3 Dec. 2024

Puerto Ricans must continue to demand their right to independence, decolonization, and self-determination, working tirelessly toward a free, democratic, and prosperous nation. —Javier A Hernandez, Orlando Sentinel, 20 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin prosperus "agreeable to one's wishes, successful, (of omens) propitious" (going back to *pro-sparo-, from pro- pro- entry 2 + *sparo-, going back to Indo-European *sph₁-ró- "thriving") + -ous -ous — more at speed entry 1

Note: An apparently traditional explanation is recorded by the fourth/fifth century grammarian Nonius Marcellus, namely, that prosperus was in origin from the phrase prō spērē "in conformity with one's hope" (spērē being taken as a variant of spē, ablative of spēs "hope"), though this may best be regarded as a folk etymology. It fails to account for the short e in prosperus.

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

prosperous

adjective

pros·​per·​ous ˈpräs-p(ə-)rəs 

1

: having or showing success or financial good fortune

2

: strong and healthy in growth

prosperously adverb