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

rich Related Forms

rich′·ness noun

rich Idioms

the rich

wealthy people collectively

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 Synonyms

rich

n.

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

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.
  • fabulous: Already, there are tales of fabulous riches to be made and millions made by those who are just working from home.

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.
  • tapestry: The author himself had become part of the rich tapestry of the Vatican.
  • diversity: Our oceans are home to a rich diversity of species.
  • vein: Can Peter Nicol maintain his current rich vein of form to regain the title, or will Jonathon Power stop the Scot again?
  • country: On trade, you repeated calls for trade barriers to rich countries to be lifted.
  • pickings: The grassy areas lower down also provide rich pickings for Chough which are also protected by European legislation.

Modifying Another Word

  • culturally: The project preserves the history of a culturally rich district of Bedford.
  • extraordinarily: The course will take us on a journey through the National Gallery, taking advantage of this extraordinarily rich collection.

Used with adjective complement

  • grow: During the 16th century, the city grew rich with the rapid growth of trade with the Americas.
  • become: Paul once had a client whose goal was to become rich.
  • get: He must not drink too much wine, like to fight or try to get rich by cheating others.

Preposition: in

  • vitamin: Not only are oranges rich in vitamin C, the Koi also have great fun sucking on the flesh of the orange.
  • nutrient: Tip: Exchange unsuitable pond soil rich in nutrients with suitable pond substrates.
  • wildlife: The island is rich in wildlife, if you are lucky enough you will hear and maybe even see the Corncrake.
  • birdlife: And the island is rich in birdlife in a variety of habitats: sea and shore, rainforest and garden, mangrove and woodland.
  • mineral: The rivers of Devon and Cornwall are rich in metal minerals mainly washed down from the high moorlands of the area.
  • humus: However, when Ginkgo is commercially grown, a soil rich in humus and nitrogen is preferable.