ENGLISH
REFERENCE

riches

n. uncountable
B2 Upper Intermediate US //ˈɹɪtʃəz// UK //ɹˈɪtʃɪz// rich·es Archaic Dialect

n. a large amount of money or valuable possessions. You use this word to talk about great wealth, often in a literary or dramatic way.

n. great wealth or an abundance of valuable possessions. Typically used in the plural form; often carries a literary or rhetorical tone compared to the neutral 'wealth'.


SIMPLE

The king lived in great riches.

CONTEXTUAL

After years of hard work, she finally enjoyed the riches of her success.

COMPLEX

The novel explores how the sudden acquisition of riches can alter family dynamics and personal values.

Synonyms
Antonyms
Etymology 1

From Middle English riches, plural of riche (“power, wealth”), from Old English rīċe (“power, authority, dominion”). Confused with Middle English richesse (“wealth”), from Old French richesse, from riche (“rich, wealthy”), of Germanic origin, from Frankish rīki (“rich”) from Proto-Germanic rīkijaz (“rich, powerful”), from Proto-Indo-European *h₃reǵ- (“to straighten, direct, make right”). Akin to Old High German rīhhi (“rich”) (German reich (“rich”)), Old English rīċe (“rich”), Old English racu (“explanation, reasoning”). More at rich.

Etymology 2

From rich + -es (plural suffix) by analogy with poors (“poor people”).

Idioms1 entry

© 2026 English Reference