What does thriving mean?
Thriving describes vigorous growth, success, or prosperity. It can characterize a person, organization, community, economy, or place that is flourishing rather than merely surviving. As an adjective, thriving commonly appears before nouns: a thriving business, a thriving city, or a thriving ecosystem. As a verb, it describes continued success or development and is often used with “on” to identify the source of that success: a company thriving on demand or a species thriving in its natural habitat. The word carries positive associations of vitality, resilience, and sustained achievement, although it does not necessarily mean that success is permanent. Its combination of biological imagery and social or economic meaning makes it useful for describing healthy development at many scales, from an individual career to a thriving population.
Flourishing, prospering, or growing vigorously and successfully.
"The new arts district has become a thriving center for local businesses."
Commonly used before a noun and strongly positive in tone.
To flourish, prosper, or grow vigorously.
"The coral reef is thriving in the protected waters."
Often used with an indirect object or “on,” as in “thriving in a supportive environment” or “thriving on innovation.”
Thriving turns growth into success: it describes a community or business that is not merely surviving, but flourishing.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of thriving
Thriving derives from the Old English verb thrīfan, meaning “to flourish” or “prosper,” which continued into Middle English as thriven and eventually developed into modern thrive. The word belongs to a Germanic word family that includes forms associated with vigorous growth and flourishing, such as Old Norse thrifask and Middle Dutch thrive. In modern English, thriving has expanded from its original sense of vigorous growth to emphasize prosperity and successful development.
Related word forms
How thriving is actually used
As an adjective, thriving is especially common before nouns such as business, community, and economy. As a verb, it often takes an indirect object or a phrase introduced by “on,” as in “thriving on innovation.” Its tone is generally positive and approving.
Easily confused with thriving
Thriving means flourishing or prospering, whereas thieving means stealing.