rich

¹

[ rich ]

adjective

, rich·er, rich·est.

1. having wealth or great possessions; abundantly supplied with resources, means, or funds; wealthy:

   a rich man;

   a rich nation.

   Synonyms: moneyed, well-to-do

   Antonyms: poor

2. abounding in natural resources:

   a rich territory.

   Antonyms: poor

3. having wealth or valuable resources (usually followed by in ):

   a country rich in traditions.

   Antonyms: poor

4. abounding (usually followed by in or with ):

   a countryside rich in beauty;

   a design rich with colors.

   Antonyms: poor

5. of great value or worth; valuable:

   a rich collection of antique vases.

   Antonyms: poor

6. (of food) delectably and perhaps unhealthfully spicy, or sweet and abounding in butter or cream: a rich pastry.

   a rich gravy;

   a rich pastry.

7. costly, expensively elegant, or fine, as dress or jewels.

   Synonyms: dear, high-priced, precious

8. elaborately abundant; sumptuous:

   a rich feast.

9. using valuable materials or characterized by elaborate workmanship, as buildings or furniture.
10. abounding in desirable elements or qualities:

    a man rich in kindness.

11. (of wine) strong and finely flavored.
12. (of color) deep, strong, or vivid:

    rich purple.

    Synonyms: vibrant, intense

13. full and mellow in tone: a rich voice.

    rich sounds;

    a rich voice.

14. strongly fragrant; pungent:

    a rich odor.

    Synonyms: aromatic

15. producing or yielding abundantly:

    a rich soil.

    Synonyms: luxuriant, prolific, productive, fruitful

    Antonyms: poor

16. abundant, plentiful, or ample:

    a rich supply.

    Synonyms: bounteous, copious, bountiful

    Antonyms: poor

17. Automotive. (of a mixture in a fuel system) having a relatively high ratio of fuel to air ( lean ²def 5 ).
18. Informal.
    1. highly amusing.
    2. ridiculous; absurd.

noun

, (used with a plural verb)

1. rich persons collectively:

   new tax shelters for the rich.

Rich

²

[ rich ]

noun

1. Adrienne, 1929–2012, U.S. poet and feminist.
2. a male given name, form of Richard.

Rich

¹

/ rɪtʃ /

noun

1. RichAdrienne19292012FUSWRITING: poetPOLITICS: feminist writer Adrienne. 1929–2012, US poet and feminist writer; her volumes of poetry include Snapshots of a Daughter-in-Law (1963) and Diving Into the Wreck (1973)
2. RichBuddy19171987MUSMUSIC: jazz drummerMUSIC: bandleader Buddy , real name Bernard Rich . 1917–87, US jazz drummer and band leader

rich

²

/ rɪtʃ /

adjective

1. 1. well supplied with wealth, property, etc; owning much
   2. ( as collective noun ; preceded by the )

      the rich

2. whenpostpositive, usually foll by in having an abundance of natural resources, minerals, etc

   a land rich in metals

3. producing abundantly; fertile

   rich soil

4. whenpostpositive, usually foll by in or with well supplied (with desirable qualities); abundant (in)

   a country rich with cultural interest

5. of great worth or quality; valuable

   a rich collection of antiques

6. luxuriant or prolific

   a rich growth of weeds

7. expensively elegant, elaborate, or fine; costly

   a rich display

8. (of food) having a large proportion of flavoursome or fatty ingredients, such as spices, butter, or cream
9. having a full-bodied flavour

   a rich ruby port

10. (of a smell) pungent or fragrant
11. (of colour) intense or vivid; deep

    a rich red

12. (of sound or a voice) full, mellow, or resonant
13. (of a fuel-air mixture) containing a relatively high proportion of fuel Compare weak
14. very amusing, laughable, or ridiculous

    a rich joke

    a rich situation

noun

1. See riches

Other Words From

• richly adverb
• richness noun
• over·rich adjective
• over·richly adverb
• over·richness noun
• super·rich adjective noun
• ultra·rich adjective noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of rich¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English; Old English rīce (adjective), ultimately from Celtic; cognate with German reich “wealthy”; akin to Latin rēx, Sanskrit rājan “king”

Word History and Origins

Origin of rich¹

Old English rīce (originally of persons: great, mighty), of Germanic origin, ultimately from Celtic (compare Old Irish rī king)

Idioms and Phrases

In addition to the idiom beginning with rich , also see embarrassment of riches ; from rags to riches ; strike it rich .

Synonym Study

Rich, wealthy, affluent all indicate abundance of possessions. Rich is the general word; it may imply that possessions are newly acquired: an oilman who became rich overnight. Wealthy suggests permanence, stability, and appropriate surroundings: a wealthy banker. Affluent usually suggests a generous amount of income, with a high standard of living and some social prestige and privilege: an affluent family.

Example Sentences

In fact, America’s rich are responsible for an enormous proportion of the global emissions causing climate change, even as per capita emissions are rising in many other countries.

From Salon

That’s so helpful in solving difficult and important problems — by further dividing the electorate at public expense, while the rich keep getting richer.

From Salon

“Why do only rich people have the right to have a beautiful house, beautiful surroundings?”

From Los Angeles Times

But on TV, he plays a successful rich guy because he has all the props, from fancy cars to private jets to a boardroom that was actually a set built for his "reality" TV show.

From Salon

“I doubt very much of it will be there in 10 years' time, other than it might be in the hands of some very, very rich benefactors, and won't be available for everybody at an affordable price,” he added.

From BBC

Related Words

• creamy
• delicious
• heavy
• juicy
• luscious
• satisfying
• savory
• spicy
• sweet
• tasty