PROSPEROUS

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does prosperous mean? 

• PROSPEROUS (adjective)
  The adjective PROSPEROUS has 4 senses:

1. in fortunate circumstances financially; moderately rich

2. very lively and profitable

3. marked by peace and prosperity

4. presaging or likely to bring good luck or a good outcome

  Familiarity information: PROSPEROUS used as an adjective is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• PROSPEROUS (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

In fortunate circumstances financially; moderately rich

Synonyms:

comfortable; easy; prosperous; well-fixed; well-heeled; well-off; well-situated; well-to-do

Context example:

well-to-do members of the community

Similar:

rich (possessing material wealth)

Derivation:

prosperity (the condition of prospering; having good fortune)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Very lively and profitable

Synonyms:

booming; flourishing; palmy; prospering; prosperous; roaring; thriving

Context example:

did a thriving business in orchids

Similar:

successful (having succeeded or being marked by a favorable outcome)

Derivation:

prosperity (an economic state of growth with rising profits and full employment)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Marked by peace and prosperity

Synonyms:

golden; halcyon; prosperous

Context example:

the halcyon days of the clipper trade

Similar:

happy (enjoying or showing or marked by joy or pleasure)

Sense 4

Meaning:

Presaging or likely to bring good luck or a good outcome

Synonyms:

favorable; favourable; golden; lucky; prosperous

Context example:

a prosperous moment to make a decision

Similar:

propitious (presenting favorable circumstances; likely to result in or show signs of success)

 Context examples 

Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without a care in the world.

(The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

I don't say always!—come to nothing, still we'll be serious about it, and hope for a prosperous issue one of these days.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

Among those who are at all his equals in consequence, he is a very different man from what he is to the less prosperous.

(Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen)

There was plenty of food and no work in the Southland, and White Fang lived fat and prosperous and happy.

(White Fang, by Jack London)

We set sail from Bristol, May 4, 1699, and our voyage was at first very prosperous.

(Gulliver's Travels into several remote nations of the world, by Jonathan Swift)

“Doubt not that he will come back to you both safe and prosperous, my fair dame,” quoth Sir Nigel.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Her employers had all been in excellent spirits lately, and she had never known them more cheerful and prosperous.

(His Last Bow, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Everyone seemed happy and contented and prosperous.

(The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, by L. Frank Baum)

His genius and ardour had seemed to foresee and to command his prosperous path.

(Persuasion, by Jane Austen)

She had been a beauty, and a prosperous beauty, all her life; and beauty and wealth were all that excited her respect.

(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)