Word
affluence
Phoneticsaf·flu·ence, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈæfɫuəns/
UK/ˈæfluːəns/
Uncountable noun
Definition
n. the state of having a lot of money and many expensive things. It describes a life of comfort and luxury.
n. the state of being wealthy or prosperous; the possession of significant financial resources and material comforts.
Examples
“The city is known for its wealth and affluence.”
“The rapid economic growth of the region brought a new level of affluence to its residents.”
“While the country's overall affluence has increased, the distribution of that wealth remains highly uneven, leading to significant social disparities.”
Examples
simple
“The city is known for its wealth and affluence.”
contextual
“The rapid economic growth of the region brought a new level of affluence to its residents.”
complex
“While the country's overall affluence has increased, the distribution of that wealth remains highly uneven, leading to significant social disparities.”
Real-World Examples
“They promised a carefree existence of affluence, leisure and sexual freedom.” “After potted introductions to these central characters, Cahill starts by unpacking the “lifestyle-magazine version of bourgeois affluence” that Beverly Hills Housewife presents to us.” “Offering affluence and increasingly extended life-expectancy, the newfound freedom allowed the topic of ikigai to return to the forefront of popular debate.” Etymology
From Old French affluence, from Latin affluentia. Only relation to antonym indigence is common Latinate suffix; affluence only acquired sense of wealth in 16th century English and French, while indigentia meant “poverty” or “lack” in Latin.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/affluence