English Reference
adjective · noun

wealthy

adj. · n.
US /ˈwɛɫθi/ UK /wˈɛlθi/ wealthy

  1. 01 B1 Intermediate

    adj.having a lot of money, land, or expensive possessions.

    adj.possessing a large amount of money, property, or other valuable assets.

    Simple

    He became a wealthy businessman after his software company was sold.

    In context

    The wealthy investors gathered to discuss the new infrastructure project, confident that their capital would yield significant long-term returns.

    Usage

    Often used to describe a person's long-term status rather than just having cash on hand.

  2. 02 C1 Advanced Formal

    adj.having a large amount of something good or useful.

    adj.characterized by abundance or profusion in quality or quantity.

    Simple

    The region is wealthy in natural resources like oil and minerals.

    In context

    The novel provides a wealthy description of life in the nineteenth century, capturing every detail of the social hierarchy.

    Usage

    Usually followed by the preposition 'in'.

  3. 03 B2 Upper Intermediate

    n.people who have a lot of money, when talked about as a group.

    n.referring to affluent people collectively as a social class.

    Simple

    The government is considering new taxes that would only affect the wealthy.

    In context

    Sociologists often study how the wealthy maintain their influence across generations through private education and exclusive social networks.

    Usage

    Used with 'the' to function as a plural noun.

    the richthe affluent

The statue was paid for by a wealthy couple who live nearby.

The Guardian· 16 Aug 2026

Although the United States spends more on health care than any other wealthy country, Americans often face greater challenges when it comes to access and affordability.

ScienceDaily· 14 Jun 2026
This entry
Level B2 · Upper Intermediate
Frequency Common
Updated