prosperity
pros-PER-uh-tee
/prɒˈspɛrəti/
The state of being successful, especially financially.
Refers to a flourishing, thriving, or successful condition, particularly in financial terms, but can also extend to general well-being.
The story behind the word. The word 'prosperity' comes from the Latin 'prosperitas,' meaning 'good fortune' or 'success.' It's built from 'prosperus,' which means 'favorable, fortunate.' Imagine the ancient Romans hoping for 'pro-sperus' winds for their ships or 'pro-sperus' harvests. It's about things going well, especially in a way that brings success and well-being.
Word relationships
- affluence: Focuses more directly on the state of having wealth.
- success: A broader term, 'prosperity' often implies financial or material success.
- flourishing: Suggests growth and thriving, often in a more general sense than just financial.
- adversity: Difficulties; misfortune.
- hardship: Severe suffering or privation.
- decline: A gradual and continuous loss of strength, numbers, or value.
Commonly confused with
- wealth: 'Wealth' is the accumulation of valuable assets; 'prosperity' is the state of being successful and thriving, which often includes wealth but also well-being.
Word family
- prosperous (adjective): Successful in material terms; flourishing financially.
- prosper (verb): To succeed in material terms; be financially successful.
Collocations
- economic prosperity
- shared prosperity
- future prosperity
- national prosperity
- general prosperity
Example sentences
- "The government promised policies that would lead to widespread economic prosperity." Economic outlook
- "She wished her children health, happiness, and prosperity in their lives." Personal well-being
- "The post-war era was marked by a period of unprecedented prosperity for many nations." Historical context
Memory hook
PROSPERITY sounds like 'PRO-SUCCESS' – a state of being successful and thriving. PRO-SUCCESS
When not to use
While 'prosperity' often implies financial success, it's not exclusively about money. Avoid using it if you want to strictly refer to material wealth without any connotation of overall well-being or success.
Fun facts
- The Roman goddess Fortuna, often depicted with a cornucopia (horn of plenty), was associated with both good and bad fortune, including prosperity.
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