What does prosperity mean?
Prosperity describes a state of flourishing, especially when people, communities, or economies are successful, prosperous, and materially secure. It commonly refers to sustained economic well-being, as in a period of national or regional prosperity, but it can also describe the broader condition of thriving in a more general sense. The word often carries positive associations with opportunity, stability, growth, and an improving standard of living. In public discussion, however, prosperity may also suggest questions about who benefits from economic success, so its implications can depend on context. As an uncountable noun, it is most natural in expressions such as “economic prosperity,” “shared prosperity,” and “bring prosperity to a region.”
nounProsperity is the state of being successful, wealthy, and thriving, especially over a sustained period. It can also refer to the condition of a person, community, or society that is doing well economically or materially.
- The state of being successful, wealthy, and thriving, especially in economic or material terms.
- The condition of a person, community, or society that is flourishing and doing well.
"The region experienced years of prosperity after new industries were established."
"The invention of new machinery brought prosperity to the farming community."
"The mayor said that affordable housing and education were essential to the city's long-term prosperity."
Rare; prosperity is normally used as an uncountable noun.
"The study compares the prosperities of different regions during the postwar period."
Prosperity is more than having money: it means flourishing, thriving, and having the conditions in which life can improve.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of prosperity
The word comes through Middle English and Old French from Latin prosperitas, meaning “happiness” or “good fortune.” Latin prosperitas was derived from prosperus, “successful” or “thriving,” and ultimately relates to pro-, meaning “forward,” and sperere, “to hope.” The related English forms prosper and prosperous preserve this sense of success, well-being, and flourishing.
Related word forms
How prosperity is actually used
Generally neutral and positive, but sometimes used in political or economic contexts in a way that can imply unequal distribution of wealth.