Rich: meaning, definitions and examples

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rich

 

[ rɪʧ ]

Adjective / Noun
Oxford 3000
Context #1 | Adjective

lifestyle

Having a great deal of money or assets; wealthy.

Synonyms

affluent, prosperous, wealthy, well-off.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
rich

General term often used to describe someone with a lot of money or valuable possessions.

  • She became rich after selling her company
  • The rich businessman donated a large sum to charity
wealthy

Similar to 'rich', but often implies long-term or generational wealth.

  • The wealthy family has owned this estate for generations
  • Many wealthy investors attended the gala
affluent

Used to describe someone who has a lot of money and often lives in a comfortable and luxurious way.

  • They live in an affluent neighborhood with big houses and fancy cars
  • Affluent families can afford private education for their children
well-off

Often used to describe someone who is comfortable financially, more informally than 'affluent' or 'wealthy'.

  • They are well-off enough to go on frequent vacations
  • Even though he isn't rich, he's quite well-off and can afford a nice car
prosperous

Typically used to describe someone or a business that is successful, often implying steady and positive financial growth.

  • He is the owner of a prosperous technology company
  • The town became prosperous due to the new factory opening

Examples of usage

  • He is a rich businessman.
  • She comes from a rich family.
  • The neighborhood is known for its rich residents.
Context #2 | Adjective

quality

Containing a large amount of a valuable or desirable substance.

Synonyms

abundant, full, luxuriant, strong.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
rich

This word is typically used to describe someone with a lot of money or assets, or something that has a lot of a particular quality or substance, often relating to food or colors.

  • He became rich after starting his own business
  • The cake was rich and delicious
abundant

Use when describing something that is present in large quantities, often in a positive sense.

  • The harvest was abundant this year
  • There was an abundant supply of water in the region
full

This can refer to something that has reached its capacity or is not lacking in any part. It can also describe completeness or totality.

  • The glass is full of water
  • She has a full schedule today
luxuriant

Often used to describe something that is rich in growth or characterized by luxurious qualities, commonly applied to describe vegetation, hair, or textures.

  • The garden was filled with luxuriant plants
  • Her hair was luxuriant and shiny
strong

This word is best suited to describe someone or something with physical power, intensity, or a robust nature. It can refer to physical strength, potent flavors, or intense emotions.

  • He is a strong athlete
  • The coffee has a strong flavor

Examples of usage

  • The cake was rich in flavor.
  • The soil was rich in nutrients.
Context #3 | Noun

informal

A wealthy person.

Synonyms

magnate, millionaire, plutocrat, tycoon.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
rich

General term used to describe someone who has a lot of money or valuable possessions.

  • She became rich after her business took off.
  • He is so rich that he owns several houses and cars.
tycoon

Describes a wealthy and powerful business person, particularly in industries such as real estate or media.

  • He is a property tycoon with numerous skyscrapers under his name.
  • She became a media tycoon by acquiring several major news outlets.
magnate

Used to describe a powerful and wealthy person in a particular industry, often used in a positive or neutral way.

  • The media magnate owns several TV stations and newspapers.
  • He is a famous oil magnate in Texas.
millionaire

Describes someone whose net worth or wealth is at least one million dollars.

  • Winning the lottery made her an instant millionaire.
  • He is a tech millionaire who started his career in a garage.
plutocrat

Refers to someone whose power comes from their wealth, often used with a negative connotation to criticize wealth inequality.

  • The country is run by a small group of plutocrats.
  • There was a public outcry against the plutocrats' influence on politics.

Examples of usage

  • She married a rich and famous actor.
  • The town's annual ball attracts the local rich.

Translations

Translations of the word "rich" in other languages:

🇵🇹 rico

🇮🇳 अमीर

🇩🇪 reich

🇮🇩 kaya

🇺🇦 багатий

🇵🇱 bogaty

🇯🇵 豊か(ゆたか)

🇫🇷 riche

🇪🇸 rico

🇹🇷 zengin

🇰🇷 부유한

🇸🇦 غني

🇨🇿 bohatý

🇸🇰 bohatý

🇨🇳 富有 (fùyǒu)

🇸🇮 bogat

🇮🇸 ríkur

🇰🇿 бай

🇬🇪 მდიდარი

🇦🇿 varlı

🇲🇽 rico

Etymology

The word 'rich' has its origins in the Old English word 'rīċe', meaning powerful or ruling. Over time, it evolved to also signify possessing great wealth or abundance. In various cultures and societies, being rich has been associated with power, influence, and prosperity. The concept of richness has been a subject of fascination and aspiration for many throughout history, leading to the creation of numerous works of art, literature, and even social movements.

See also: enrich, richer, riches, richness.

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #1,355, this word is part of core intermediate vocabulary. It appears regularly in various contexts and is essential for natural-sounding English.