Prosperity Meaning: Here’s What It Means and How To Use It

Do you know what the word prosperity means? This article will explore the meaning of prosperity, its origin, how to use it in a sentence, and more. 

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According to Victor Hugo, adversity makes men, whereas prosperity makes monsters. The Cambridge Dictionary defines adversity as a difficult or unlucky situation, but what exactly does the word prosperity mean? 

Read on to discover all you need to know about the word prosperity, including its definition, origin, how to use it in daily conversation, and more. Are you ready? Let’s dive in!

What Is the Definition of Prosperity?

Defined as the state of being successful, prosperity is a condition in which an individual or community is doing well financially. This noun refers to the state of being prosperous and is synonymous with good fortune and wealth.  

What Are the Different Types of Prosperity?

If you’re like most folks, the word prosperity probably conjures up thoughts of money. However, there’s a lot more to living in prosperity than how much dough you have in your bank account.

Prosperity is the state of thriving, success, flourishing, or good fortune, but this term can encompass more than just wealth. Prosperity can refer to happiness and health as well. For instance, one person may experience emotional or mental prosperity while another experiences physical or material prosperity.   

One can experience prosperity in many different areas of life. Here are some of the different types of prosperity below:

  • Emotional Prosperity — enjoying fulfilling relationships with others as well as yourself.  
  • Physical Prosperity — taking great care of your body to attain vibrant health and wellness.
  • Mental Prosperity — being a life-long learner, continually sharpening your skills, and caring for your mental health and wellbeing.
  • Financial Prosperity — having financial security or not having to rely on a job, spouse, friend, relative, the government, or anyone else for money.
  • Spiritual Prosperity — feeling connected to your unique personal experience of spirit.
  • Material Prosperity — having a lot of coveted things or possessions.

What Is the Origin of Prosperity?

So, where does the term prosperity come from? The modern English word “prosperity” derives from Middle English prosperite, which was borrowed through the Old French Latin word prosperous, meaning “favorable.” The Latin term can also mean “fortunate,” which is no surprise seeing as the word prosperity has an element of good luck. 

What Are the Synonyms and Antonyms of Prosperity?

To further your understanding of our word of the day, let’s take a look at a few synonyms and antonyms. 

Synonyms are words that have the same meaning as another word or phrase. Below are a few synonyms of the term prosperity:

  • Wealth
  • Success
  • Profitability
  • Affluence
  • Riches
  • Ease
  • Plenty
  • Welfare
  • Comfort
  • Security
  • Well-being
  • Opulence
  • Benefit
  • Flourishing
  • Fortunate
  • Blessed
  • Wealthy
  • Affluent

On the flip side, antonyms are words or phrases with contrasting — or opposite — meanings. A few antonyms of prosperity include:

  • Hardship
  • Failure
  • Decrease
  • Disadvantage
  • Unlucky
  • Impoverished
  • Lacking
  • Needy
  • Poor
  • Depressed
  • Unprosperous
  • Unsuccessful 
  • Shortage
  • Misfortune
  • Destitution
  • Adversity

How Can You Use Prosperity in a Sentence?

Prosperity is the state of being prosperous — but how can you use it in a sentence? Below are a few example sentences for you to review:

“I am manifesting abundance and prosperity this year.”

“Our family wishes you a lifetime of happiness and prosperity.”

“Do you think adversity leads to prosperity or vice versa?”

“Prosperity comes to those who manifest it!”

“When you really think about it, prosperity can happen anywhere.”

“If you ask me, society is ready for a period of prosperity to set in.”

“Sally is leading a life of prosperity and luxury.”

“After purchasing that random house in the cul-de-sac last year, good luck and prosperity were on my side.”

“Under the guidance of a new leader, the tiny village quickly developed into an era of full prosperity.” 

“As soon as the world realized the tiny town was responsible for the coveted delicacy that was native to their island,  tourism sky-rocketed ultimately bringing prosperity to the community.”

“An article in the Washington Post explained that prosperity typically refers to the type of success that comes from having a lot of cash.”

“My mom always told me that prosperity makes friends while adversity tries them.”

“The prosperity of society depends more on their leaders than is commonly imagined.”

“My mom wished us a life of good health and prosperity before we hopped into the limo and drove off to our honeymoon destination.”

What Are Translations of Prosperity?

Wondering how to say our word of the day in a different language? Here are some of the most common translations of prosperity:

  • American English: prosperity /prɒˈspɛrɪti/
  • Arabic: إِزْدِهَار 
  • Brazilian Portuguese: prosperidade 
  • Chinese: 繁荣 
  • Croatian: blagostanje 
  • Czech: blahobyt 
  • Danish: fremgang 
  • Dutch: voorspoed 
  • European Spanish: prosperidad 
  • Finnish: vauraus 
  • French: prospérité 
  • German: Wohlstand 
  • Greek: ευημερία 
  • Italian: prosperità 
  • Japanese: 繁栄 
  • Korean: 번영 
  • Norwegian: fremgang 
  • Polish: pomyślność 
  • European Portuguese: prosperidade 
  • Romanian: prosperitate
  • Russian: процветание 
  • Spanish: prosperidad 
  • Swedish: välstånd 
  • Thai: ความเจริญรุ่งเรือง 
  • Turkish: gönenç 
  • Ukrainian: процвітання
  • Vietnamese: sự thịnh vượng 

Bottom Line

Prosperity refers to the state of being successful. In other words, it’s a situation in which someone is doing well financially. Synonym to success, luck, riches, and ease, our word of the day comes from Middle English prosperite, Latin prosperitas and prosperous, which mean “doing well.”

So, what does prosperity mean, you ask? Simply put, prosperity is a thriving or flourishing condition that is commonly associated with good fortune, wealth, and success. That said, everyone’s definition of prosperity is unique. Why? Because success is subjective. 

Interested in discovering more new words? Head on over to our website and check out our blog. Whether you’re looking for information on a complex word or trying to “get with the times” by learning slang, you can always count on us to have your back. 

Sources:

  1. ADVERSITY : definition | Cambridge English Dictionary
  2. Prosperity definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary
  3. Prosperity : translation English to Russian | Cambridge Dictionary
  4. The True Origins of Prosperity | Democracy Journal