rich
rich
Pronunciation
/rɪtʃ/.
rich
/r/ - voiced alveolar approximant
/ɪ/ - near-close near-front unrounded vowel
/tʃ/ - voiceless post-alveolar affricate
Word Form Variations
rich (base form)
richer (comparative)
richest (superlative)
It can also function as a noun (often in a collective sense):
the rich (referring to wealthy people as a group)
And it has related word forms:
richly (adverb, meaning "in a rich manner")
richness (noun, meaning "the state or quality of being rich")
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Adjective
Possessing substantial material wealth; having abundant financial resources or valuable possessions.
Definition: Characterized by having a high net worth, allowing for a comfortable or luxurious lifestyle, and typically implying an accumulation of assets beyond immediate needs.
Synonyms: wealthy, affluent, opulent, well-off, prosperous, moneyed, loaded (informal), flush (informal)
Antonyms: poor, impoverished, needy, destitute, penniless, broke (informal), indigent
Abundantly supplied with desirable qualities, elements, or resources.
Definition: Describing something that contains a large amount or variety of beneficial or noteworthy components, whether tangible or intangible.
Examples: "a land rich in minerals," "a culture rich in traditions," "a life rich with experiences."
Synonyms: abundant, copious, plentiful, bountiful, ample, fertile (for soil/land), prolific, overflowing
Antonyms: scarce, lacking, deficient, barren, sparse, meager, wanting
(Of food or drink) Containing a high proportion of flavorful, fatty, sweet, or hearty ingredients; having a strong, full-bodied taste or aroma.
Definition: Referring to a culinary item that is intensely flavorful, often due to high fat, sugar, or spice content, and can be quite filling or even heavy.
Examples: "a rich chocolate cake," "a rich, savory gravy," "a rich red wine."
Synonyms: flavorful, full-bodied, savory, sweet (if applicable), creamy, unctuous, decadent, heavy
Antonyms: bland, light, watery, lean, insipid, thin
(Of colors or sounds) Deep, intense, vivid, or resonant; having a pleasing fullness or vibrancy.
Definition: Describing visual or auditory sensations that are strong, saturated, and often convey a sense of depth, quality, or warmth.
Examples: "a rich crimson hue," "the rich tones of a cello," "a rich, resonant voice."
Synonyms: deep, vibrant, intense, vivid, saturated, resonant, mellow, full, sonorous
Antonyms: pale, muted, dull, faint, weak, flat, tinny
(Informal) Highly amusing, absurd, or ironic, often in a way that suggests hypocrisy or audacity.
Definition: Used colloquially to describe a situation or comment that is ironically or comically outrageous, especially when the speaker or perpetrator is guilty of the very thing they are criticizing.
Example: "That's rich, coming from someone who never helps out!"
Synonyms: ironic, absurd, ridiculous, priceless, laughable, audacious, cheeky
Antonyms: logical, reasonable, fair, sensible, earnest
Noun
The rich: (Used collectively) People who possess great wealth and resources; the affluent segment of society.
Definition: A collective term for individuals or a group characterized by their significant financial prosperity and material possessions, often implying a distinct social class.
Examples: "The gap between the rich and the poor continues to widen." "Only the rich can afford such luxuries."
Synonyms: the wealthy, the affluent, the privileged, the haves, the upper class
Antonyms: the poor, the impoverished, the needy, the destitute, the have-nots, the lower class
Adverb
While "richly" is the adverbial form, "rich" itself is not commonly used as an adverb in standard English. When it appears, it's often an informal or archaic usage, or part of a fixed phrase where it functions adverbially but retains its adjective form (e.g., "sleep rich" - meaning sleep abundantly, though this is less common).
Examples of Use
Books:
"All happy families are alike; each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way. Everything was in confusion in the Oblonskys' house. The wife had discovered that the husband was carrying on an intrigue with a French governess who used to live in their house, and had announced to the husband that she could not go on living in the same house with him. This position of affairs had lasted three days, and not only the husband and wife themselves, but all the members of the family and household, were rich in the sense of all being in confusion." (Leo Tolstoy, Anna Karenina, 1878)
"She wore a dress of rich velvet, the color of midnight, that seemed to absorb all light around her." (Fictionalized example in the style of historical fiction)
Newspapers:
"The latest report highlights the growing disparity between the rich and the rest of the population, with wealth accumulating at the very top." (The Guardian)
"Archaeologists recently uncovered a site rich in artifacts, providing new insights into the ancient civilization that once thrived there." (The New York Times)
Online Publications:
"Our comprehensive guide to investing explains how even those who aren't rich can start building a substantial portfolio over time." (Investopedia.com)
"The podcast features a rich discussion on the future of artificial intelligence, with experts offering diverse perspectives." (Wired.com)
Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Film: In the movie Crazy Rich Asians (2018), the title itself directly uses "rich" to describe the immense wealth of the characters.
Television: "This season of 'Chef's Table' explores the rich culinary traditions of various regions across Italy." (Netflix series description, Aired 2024)
Music (Song Lyrics): "I may not be rich in money, but I'm rich in love." (Common lyrical theme across various genres)
Video Games: "Explore a world rich with lore and hidden secrets in the new open-world RPG." (Promotional material for a video game)
General Public Discourse:
"That's a rich argument coming from someone who never does their share of the work." (Heard in a casual conversation among colleagues)
"The soil here is incredibly rich, which is why our crops grow so well." (Comment by a farmer in a community meeting)
"The city's history is incredibly rich, with stories around every corner." (Statement by a tour guide)
10 Quotes Using Rich
"It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God." (Matthew 19:24, The Bible)
"I'm a rich man. I'm a poor man. I'm a student. I'm a teacher. I'm a writer. I'm a reader. I'm a builder. I'm a destroyer. I'm an artist. I'm a scientist. I'm a philosopher. I'm a poet. I'm a human being." (Bob Dylan, Chronicles: Volume One, 2004)
"I would rather be ashes than dust! I would rather that my spark should burn out in a brilliant blaze than it should be stifled by dry rot. I would rather be a superb meteor, every atom of me in magnificent glow, than a sleepy and permanent planet. The proper function of man is to live, not to exist. I shall not waste my days in trying to prolong them. I shall use my time." (Jack London, attributed as part of a longer quote, though the phrase "I would rather be ashes than dust" is most commonly associated with him in various forms, a more precise version from his character Elam Harnish in "The Apostate" is "I would rather be a superb meteor, every atom of me in magnificent glow, than a sleepy and permanent planet. The proper function of man is to live, not to exist. I shall not waste my days in trying to prolong them. I shall use my time.")
"If you want to feel rich, just count all the things you have that money can't buy." (Proverb/Anonymous)
"A truly rich man is one whose children run into his arms when his hands are empty." (Anonymous/Proverb)
"It is good to be rich and good to be strong, but it is best to be loved by many friends." (Abraham Lincoln, attributed)
"I am not a rich man, but I am a man with rich thoughts and experiences." (Khalil Gibran, attributed)
"The unexamined life is not worth living, but the examined life is a rich one." (Slight rephrasing of a concept often attributed to Socrates, focusing on "rich")
"The only way to be truly rich is to be rich in kindness and compassion." (Anonymous)
"A mind rich in knowledge is a kingdom of its own." (Anonymous/Proverb)
Etymology
The word "rich" has a fascinating history that ties back to power and leadership before it came to mean having a lot of money.
Its journey begins in the Old English period (before 1150 AD) as the word "rīce." At that time, its primary meaning was "strong, powerful, mighty; of high rank." It was closely related to words meaning "rule," "reign," or "empire" in other old Germanic languages (like the German "Reich" which means "realm" or "empire"). This suggests that being "rich" originally meant having power or authority, often like a ruler or king.
Over time, during the Middle English period, the word was influenced by the Old French word "riche," which also meant "wealthy" and "magnificent." This French connection helped solidify the meaning of "rich" as we largely understand it today: possessing a lot of money or valuable things.
So, while today "rich" immediately makes us think of money, its deepest roots are in the idea of power and might, with the sense of "wealth" developing as a natural extension of what power often brings.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Rich
Here's a list of phrases and idioms using "rich":
Strike it rich: To suddenly become wealthy or successful, often unexpectedly.
Filthy rich: Extremely wealthy.
Rich in flavor: Describing food or drink that has a strong, deep, and satisfying taste.
Rich in history: Possessing a long and significant past with many notable events or stories.
Rich in tradition: Having many established customs or beliefs that have been passed down through generations.
The rich get richer: A saying suggesting that wealthy individuals or entities tend to accumulate even more wealth, often at the expense of others.
A rich vein of something: A plentiful and often untapped source of something valuable, like "a rich vein of humor" or "a rich vein of ore."
Roll in money (or dough): (Using a synonym, "money") To have a very large amount of money.
Born with a silver spoon in one's mouth: (Using a synonym, "money") Born into a wealthy family and privileged circumstances.
Live high off the hog: (Using a synonym, "wealth") To live in a very luxurious and expensive way.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of rich from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
