prosper

[pros-per]

verb (used without object)

1. to be successful or fortunate, especially in financial respects; thrive; flourish.

   Antonyms: fail

verb (used with object)

1. Archaic.,  to make successful or fortunate.

prosper

/ ˈprɒspə /

verb

1. (usually intr) to thrive, succeed, etc, or cause to thrive, succeed, etc in a healthy way

Other Word Forms

• unprospered adjective
• unprospering adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of prosper¹

First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English prosperen, Old French prosperer, from Latin prosperāre “to make happy,” derivative of prosperus prosperous

Word History and Origins

Origin of prosper¹

C15: from Latin prosperāre to succeed, from prosperus fortunate, from _pro- ¹ + spēs hope

Synonym Study

See succeed.

Example Sentences

Mitchell's assertion that Newcastle's recruitment processes were "not fit for purpose" understandably dominated headlines a year ago, but he also made a nuanced point about how clubs who were even more data-informed prospered last summer.

From BBC

While Ojai’s reputation spread as a sophisticated small town with a spiritual bent and spectacular setting, the Roblar prospered, faltered, was renamed the Oaks, added a bar, added a pool and added bungalows.

From Los Angeles Times

He argues that North Korea is prospering and defends Kim's decision to send troops to aid Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

From BBC

He said: "We need bold ideas and ultimately trying to find ways of levelling that education playing field so all children from all backgrounds can prosper in school."

From BBC

The exception was the Southern California cattle industry, which briefly prospered thanks to the gold miners’ demand for beef.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• bloom 
• blossom 
• catch on 
• do well 
• flourish 
• multiply 
• thrive 

When To Use

What does prosper mean?

Prosper means to be successful or fortunate, especially in a financial or material way.Prosper often implies success in terms of wealth, health, and happiness. But it can also be used broadly, much like the words succeed, thrive, and flourish.You can say that someone is prospering in the present, but the word is perhaps most commonly used in the context of what will happen in the future.Prosper is associated with its use in the phrase “live long and prosper,” the catchphrase of the character Spock in the Star Trek series of TV shows and movies.Someone who prospers can be described as prosperous. The noun prosperity refers to a state of success.Example: If we can continue to maintain this level of quality, our company will continue to prosper.