rich Hear it!

rich definition

rich (ric̸h)

adjective

  1. having more than enough of material possessions; owning much money or property; wealthy
  2. having abundant natural resources a rich country
  3. well-supplied (with); abounding (in) rich in minerals
  4. worth much; valuable a rich prize
  5. of valuable materials or fine, elaborate workmanship; costly and elegant rich gifts
  6. elaborate; luxurious; sumptuous a rich banquet
  7. having an abundance of good constituents or qualities; specif.,
    1. full of nutritious or choice ingredients, esp. fats and sugar, and spices, etc. rich pastries
    2. full of strength and flavor; full-bodied rich coffee
    1. full, deep, and mellow: said of sounds, the voice, etc.
    2. deep; intense; vivid: said of colors
    3. very fragrant: said of odors
  9. having a high proportion of fuel to air a rich fuel mixture
  10. abundant; plentiful; ample a rich fund of stories
  11. yielding or producing in abundance, as soil, mines, etc.
  12. Informal
    1. abounding in humor; very amusing
    2. absurd; preposterous

Etymology: ME riche < OE & OFr: OE rice, noble, powerful: see right

Related Forms:

rich Idioms

the rich

wealthy people collectively

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Alternate definitions:

business rich definition - business

idioms rich idiom

rich Synonyms

rich

modif.

  1. Possessed of wealth

    wealthy, affluent, well-to-do, moneyed, prosperous, opulent, comfortable, well-off, well provided for, in easy circumstances, worth a bundle*, well-fixed*, well-heeled*, loaded*, made of money*, rolling in dough*, in clover*, on easy street*, flush*, in the money*, in the chips*.

    Antonyms poor*, poverty-stricken*, destitute. *

  2. Sumptuous

    luxurious, opulent, lavish, costly, elegant, magnificent, resplendent, elaborate, embellished, ornate, expensive, deluxe, chic, smart, stylish, fancy, splendid, superb, gorgeous, valuable, precious, extravagant, grand, lush, posh*, plush*, classy*, ritzy*, swank*, swanky*, snazzy*, swell*, high-class*, spiffy*, sharp*, tony*, high-toned*, upscale*. *

    Antonyms cheap*, plain*, simple. *

  3. Fertile

    exuberant, lush, productive, copious, plentiful, generous, fruitful, profuse, luxuriant, teeming, abundant, prolific, fecund, fruit-bearing, bearing, propagating, yielding, breeding, superabounding, prodigal; see also fertile 1.

    Antonyms sterile*, unfruitful*, barren. *

  4. Abounding in butter, cream, sugar, spices, etc.

    heavy, luscious, sweet, creamy, buttery, fatty, oily, juicy, succulent, fattening, satisfying, filling, oversweet, cloying, spicy, savory, piquant; see also delicious 1.

    Antonyms light, plain, low-fat.

  5. Laughable

    absurd, preposterous, ridiculous, funny, amusing, entertaining, queer, odd, strange, diverting, droll, comical, ludicrous, farcical, humorous, incongruous, foolish, killing*, sidesplitting*. *

  6. Full; said of sounds or voices

    deep, mellow, sonorous; see harmonious 1, loud 1.

  7. Vivid; said of colors

    deep, intense, vibrant, strong; see bright 2.

rich is the general word for one who has more money, possessions, or income-producing property than is necessary to satisfy normal needs; wealthy adds to this connotation of grand living, influence in the community, a tradition of richness, etc.; affluent suggests a continuing increase of riches and a high standard of living an affluent suburb; opulent suggests the possession of great wealth as displayed in luxurious or ostentatious living an opulent mansion; well-to-do implies sufficient prosperity for easy living


rich

n.

the wealthy, the well-to-do, the affluent, capitalists, upper class, plutocrats, plutocracy, the haves*.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

rich Usage Examples

Adjective modifier

  • earthly: The fact of the matter is that earthly riches don't necessarily bring any real benefit to their possessor.

Adjective complement with noun phrase

  • eat: Women who regularly eat foods rich in carotenes cut their risk of stroke by 40 percent.

Modifies a noun

  • heritage: The Fife Coastal Path offers an ideal way to sample the area's rich heritage.

Modifying Another Word

  • culturally: The project preserves the history of a culturally rich district of Bedford.

Used with adjective complement

  • grow: During the 16th century, the city grew rich with the rapid growth of trade with the Americas.

Preposition: in

  • vitamin: Not only are oranges rich in vitamin C, the Koi also have great fun sucking on the flesh of the orange.
rich usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

rich quotes

The rich man in his castle, The poor man at his gate, God made them, high or lowly, And ordered their estate.

-Alexander, Cecil Frances

It made Gay Rich and Rich Gay.

-Anonymous

It is a bad thing that many from being rich should become poor; for men of ruined fortunes are sure to stir up revolutions.

-Aristotle

rich quotes (more)

Webster's New World Dictionary of Quotations Copyright © 2005 by Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Published by Wiley, Hoboken, NJ. Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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"rich." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 5 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/rich>

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rich. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 5th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/rich

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