# affluent

/ˈæfɫuənt/ (US) · /ˈæfluːənt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/affluent
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. wealthy

adjective · CEFR B2 · Formal

having a lot of money and owning many expensive things.

For teachers: possessing a great deal of money; wealthy and enjoying a high standard of living.

- The family moved to an affluent neighborhood with large houses and private schools.
- The rise of the tech industry has transformed the once-modest suburb into one of the most affluent districts in the country.

Usage: Typically used to describe groups, areas, or lifestyles rather than just a single person's bank balance.

Teaching tip: While 'rich' can be blunt, 'affluent' is a more polite and formal way to describe wealth in a sociological or economic context.

### 2. a tributary stream

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical

a small river or stream that flows into a larger one.

For teachers: a stream or river that flows into a larger body of water; a tributary.

- The main river is fed by several small affluents coming from the mountains.
- Hydrologists mapped the various affluents to determine the source of the chemical runoff entering the main lake.

Usage: Used as a countable noun in geography and hydrology.

Teaching tip: This sense is rare in general conversation; students will mostly encounter it in academic geography texts.

## Examples

- They live in an affluent part of the city.
- The school serves an affluent community where most parents work in finance or law.
- The study highlighted how affluent neighborhoods often have better access to healthcare and educational resources than poorer areas.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.