- having a lot of money or property
- She's one of the richest women in the world.
- to get/grow/become rich
- Nobody gets rich from writing nowadays.
- She longed to be rich and famous.
- He was born in a rich and powerful family.
- (slang) to be filthy/stinking (= extremely) rich
Synonyms richrichwealthy ▪ prosperous ▪ affluent ▪ well off ▪ comfortableThese words all describe somebody/something that has a lot of money, property or valuable possessions.rich (of a person) having a lot of money, property or valuable possessions; (of a country or city) producing a lot of wealth so that many of its people can live at a high standardwealthy rich rich or wealthy?There is no real difference in meaning between these two words. Both are very frequent, but rich is more frequent and can be used in some fixed phrases where wealthy cannot: He’s stinking/filthy wealthy. • It’s a favourite resort for the wealthy and famous. prosperous (rather formal) rich and successfulaffluent (rather formal) rich and with a good standard of living:- affluent Western countries
- His family is not very well off.
- They’re not millionaires, but they’re certainly very comfortable.
- a(n) rich/wealthy/prosperous/affluent/well-off family
- a rich/wealthy/prosperous/well-off man/woman
- a(n) rich/wealthy/prosperous/affluent country/city
Extra ExamplesTopics Moneya1, People in societya1- It was mean of her only to give £1—she's filthy rich, you know.
- Doughty's genius made him fabulously rich but he never changed his style of life.
- people who want to get rich quickly
- a newly rich businessman
- Very few people get rich from writing nowadays.
- This discovery never made her rich.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryverbs- be
- feel
- look
- …
- extremely
- fairly
- very
- …
Definitions on the go
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- the richnoun [plural] people who have a lot of money or property
- It's a favourite resort for the rich and famous.
More Like This Plural adjectival nounsPlural adjectival nounsTopics People in societyb1 - (of a country) producing a lot of wealth so that many of its people can live at a high standard
- the richest countries/economies/nations
Extra Examples- The system still favours the economies of richer nations.
- Rich countries can afford to spend more on the environment.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryverbs- be
- feel
- look
- …
- extremely
- fairly
- very
- …
- (often in compounds) containing or providing a large supply of something
- rich in something Oranges are rich in vitamin C.
- The area is rich in wildlife.
- Russia is hugely rich in oil and gas.
- The animation is amazingly rich in detail.
- The country is rich in natural resources.
- His novels are a rich source of material for the movie industry.
- iron-rich rocks
- the exceptionally rich fishing grounds of the North Pacific
- (figurative) Several major US companies have set up in the country in order to tap into the rich vein of talent available.
- Ours is a world rich with possibilities.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryverbs- be
- extremely
- fairly
- very
- …
- in
- very interesting and full of variety
- the region’s rich history and culture
- She leads a rich and varied life.
- a culturally rich nation
- the rich architectural heritage of India
- This story emphasizes the rich African tradition of oral history.
- containing a lot of fat, butter, eggs, etc. and making you feel full quickly
- a rich, creamy sauce
- a rich chocolate cake
- The chocolate orange fondant was too rich for me.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryverbs- be
- very
- wonderfully
- containing the substances that make it good for growing plants in synonym fertile
- a rich, well-drained soil
- rich farming land
- (of colours, sounds, smells and tastes) strong or deep; very beautiful or attractive
- rich dark reds
- the rich sound of the organ
- The wine gives the dish a wonderfully rich aroma.
Extra Examples- The sun-dried tomatoes give the dish a wonderfully rich flavour.
- The colour of the flower is a rich deep red.
- the rich tones of autumn
- Her rich contralto voice filled the concert hall.
- (literary) expensive and beautiful synonym sumptuous
- The rooms were decorated with rich fabrics.
- (especially British English, informal) used to say that a criticism somebody makes is surprising and not reasonable, because they have the same fault
- Me? Lazy? That's rich, coming from you!
compare richness
with a lot of money
containing/providing something
full of variety
food
soil
colours/sounds
expensive
criticism
Word OriginOld English rīce ‘powerful, wealthy’, of Germanic origin, related to Dutch rijk and German reich; ultimately from Celtic; reinforced in Middle English by Old French riche ‘rich, powerful’.
Idioms
See rich in the Oxford Advanced American DictionarySee rich in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic Englishstrike it rich
- (informal) to get a lot of money, especially suddenly or unexpectedly
Check pronunciation:
rich