verb
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to grow strongly and vigorously
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to do well; prosper
Usage
What does thrive mean? To thrive is to grow and develop strongly.This sense of the word can be applied to people as well as other living things, including animals and plants.Thrive can also mean to be successful, to be fulfilled, or to develop successfully.Both senses of thrive are often discussed alongside the specific conditions, environment, or situation that allow or help someone or something to thrive. For example, babies thrive in loving homes with the proper nutrition and care. Wild animals tend to thrive when their natural habitat is preserved. Plants thrive when they receive the right amount of sunlight and water. A person might begin to thrive in their career when they work at a place where their talents are appreciated and they’re given the freedom to try new things.The adjective thriving can be used to describe someone or something that is developing successfully or that is being successful.Example: Being around other creative people really helps my writing thrive.
Related Words
See succeed.
Other Word Forms
- thriver noun
- thriving adjective
- thrivingly adverb
Etymology
Origin of thrive
First recorded in 1150–1200; Middle English thriven, from Old Norse thrīfast “to thrive,” reflexive of thrīfa “to grasp”
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“The Price,” directed by Elina de Santos, thrives in the intimacy of Pacific Resident Theatre’s main stage.
From Los Angeles Times
If De Zerbi is to thrive, the football operations around him must be stable, communicative and genuinely aligned to his way of working.
From BBC
Investors put lots of time and energy into guessing which businesses will thrive in a given environment.
Twelve months since his senior debut, the 19-year-old now finds himself at RB Leipzig and thriving in the Bundesliga, scoring 10 times and registering seven assists while clocking the third-fastest speed in the division.
From BBC
The AI growth story isn’t over just yet and techs should be able to thrive even if oil prices remain high and the Fed doesn’t cut rates.
From Barron's
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
