# rich

/ˈɹɪtʃ/ (US) · /ɹˈɪtʃ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/rich
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. wealthy

adjective · CEFR A1

having a lot of money, property, or valuable possessions.

For teachers: possessing great material wealth; having abundant financial resources.

- He became a very rich man after his technology company was sold.
- The neighborhood is home to some of the city's most affluent families, who live in rich estates overlooking the harbor.

### 2. food flavor

adjective · CEFR B1

having a lot of butter, cream, sugar, or other strong flavors.

For teachers: containing a large amount of fat, sugar, or eggs; highly concentrated in flavor or nutrients.

- The chocolate cake was so rich that I could only eat one small piece.
- The chef prepared a rich hollandaise sauce to accompany the asparagus, balancing the heavy cream with a touch of lemon.

### 3. abundant or full

adjective · CEFR B1

containing a large amount of something good or useful.

For teachers: abounding in desirable qualities or resources; plentiful.

- The region is rich in natural resources like oil and gas.
- The novel provides a rich description of life in the nineteenth century, capturing every detail of the social customs of the time.

### 4. vivid color or sound

adjective · CEFR B2

strong, deep, and pleasing to the senses.

For teachers: having a deep, pleasing, and vivid quality, especially regarding color or sound resonance.

- The curtains were a rich red color that made the room feel warm.
- The singer's rich baritone voice filled the concert hall, captivating the audience even without amplification.

### 5. ironic or absurd

adjective · CEFR C1 · Informal

used to describe a comment that is funny because the person saying it is guilty of the same thing.

For teachers: highly amusing or ironic; often used sarcastically to highlight hypocrisy.

- It's a bit rich for him to call me lazy when he never helps at all.
- The CEO's lecture on corporate frugality was particularly rich, considering he had just authorized the purchase of a second private jet.

### 6. digital media

adjective · CEFR C1 · Technical

having a lot of features, like video, sound, or interactive parts.

For teachers: containing complex formatting, multimedia elements, or high levels of user interaction.

- The new app offers a rich user experience with animations and live updates.
- The developer focused on creating rich media content to increase user engagement across the mobile platform.

### 7. wealthy people

noun · CEFR B1

people who have a lot of money, looked at as a group.

For teachers: wealthy people collectively; the affluent class of a society.

- There is a growing gap between the rich and the poor in many countries.
- The government proposed a new tax that would primarily affect the rich, sparking a heated debate in parliament.

Usage: Always used with 'the' as a plural noun.

## Examples

- He became very rich after selling his successful business.
- The chocolate cake was so rich that I could only eat a few bites before feeling full.
- The region is exceptionally rich in natural minerals, providing a stable foundation for the local economy despite fluctuations in the global market.

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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.