prosperous
Meaning: Successful and wealthy, especially in financial or material terms; enjoying economic well-being and comfort.
Prosperous focuses specifically on material success and financial health, distinguishing it from 'flourishing' (which can be spiritual or cultural) and 'thriving' (which implies resilience). It collocates naturally with 'nation,' 'region,' 'family,' and 'era.' In British English, it often appears in historical or socioeconomic writing — 'the prosperous Victorian middle class,' 'a prosperous market town.' The word can carry a faintly complacent or self-satisfied undertone depending on context.
Examples
- The prosperous suburbs of south-west London have seen property prices triple in the past two decades. 伦敦西南部繁华的郊区在过去二十年里房价翻了三倍。Los prósperos barrios residenciales del suroeste de Londres han visto triplicarse los precios de la vivienda en las últimas dos décadas.ロンドン南西部の裕福な郊外では、過去20年間で不動産価格が3倍になった。런던 남서부의 부유한 교외 지역에서는 지난 20년간 부동산 가격이 세 배로 올랐다.
- For a brief, prosperous period in the 1960s, the town's steelworks employed nearly half the adult population. 在20世纪60年代一段短暂的繁荣时期,该镇的钢铁厂雇用了近一半的成年人口。Durante un breve y próspero período en la década de 1960, la acería de la localidad empleaba a casi la mitad de la población adulta.1960年代の短い繁栄期には、その町の製鉄所が成人人口のほぼ半数を雇用していた。1960년대의 짧은 번영기에 그 도시의 제철소는 성인 인구의 거의 절반을 고용했다.
- The report questioned whether the benefits of a prosperous economy were being shared equitably across all regions. 该报告质疑繁荣经济的红利是否在各地区间得到了公平分配。El informe cuestionó si los beneficios de una economía próspera se estaban repartiendo equitativamente entre todas las regiones.その報告書は、繁栄する経済の恩恵がすべての地域に公平に分配されているかどうかを問題視した。그 보고서는 번영하는 경제의 혜택이 모든 지역에 공정하게 분배되고 있는지 의문을 제기했다.
Pronunciation
Usage Guide
Context: general, journalism, academic
Tone: positive
Origin & History
From Old French prosperos, from Latin prosperus (doing well, fortunate), possibly from pro spe (according to hope). Entered English in the 15th century.
Cultural Context
Era: Modern
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
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