prosper Hear it!

prosper definition

pros·per (präs′pər)

intransitive verb

to succeed, thrive, grow, etc. in a vigorous way

Etymology: ME prosperen < MFr prosperer < L prosperare, to cause to prosper < prosperus, favorable < prospere, fortunately < pro spere < pro, according to (see pro-) + stem of spes, hope < IE base *spēi-, to flourish, succeed > speed

transitive verb

Archaic to cause to prosper

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

prosper Synonyms

prosper

v.

become rich, become wealthy, be enriched, thrive, turn out well, fare well, do well, be fortunate, have good fortune, flourish, get on, rise, fatten, batten, increase, bear fruit, bloom, blossom, flower, make money, make a fortune, benefit, advance, gain, make good*, do right by oneself*, make one's mark*, roll in the lap of luxury*, feather one's nest*, come along*, catch on*, come on*, do wonders*; see also succeed 1.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

prosper Usage Examples

Object

  • thank: This is the story of a typical Black Country town that developed and prospered thanks to the growth of industry.

Preposition: at

  • expense: Habbakuk asks why the wicked prosper at the expense of the righteous.

Preposition: as

  • center: In medieval times the community prospered as a center for trade in coarse woolen cloth.

Modifying Another Word

  • exceedingly: No wonder with such an armory that she has prospered exceedingly in the struggle for existence.

Used with why or when

  • when: RESULT and I'm sure they will prosper when we've finished the work on the North early next year!

Preposition: in

  • economy: Second, we must equip people with the skills they need to prosper in a modern dynamic economy.
prosper usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

prosper quotes

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee.Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces.

-Bible (Old Testament)

Treason doth never prosper, what's the reason? For if it prosper, none dare call it treason.

-Harington, SirJohn

Now this is the Law of the Jungleöas old and as true as the sky; 471

-Kipling, (Joseph) Rudyard

prosper quotes (more)

Webster's New World Dictionary of Quotations Copyright © 2005 by Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Published by Wiley, Hoboken, NJ. Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Link to this page:

Cite this page:

MLA Style

"prosper." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 5 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/prosper>

APA Style

prosper. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 5th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/prosper

Comments:

Please or Register to post a comment