n.
Pronunciation: ' rich
Function: adjective
Etymology: Middle English riche, from Old English r ī ce; akin to Old High German r ī hhi rich, Old English r ī ce kingdom, Old High German r ī hhi, noun; all from prehistoric Germanic words borrowed from Celtic words akin to Old Irish rí (gen. ríg ) king ― more at ROYAL
Date: before 12th century
1 : having abundant possessions and especially material wealth
2 a : having high value or quality b : well supplied or endowed <a city rich in traditions>
3 : magnificently impressive : SUMPTUOUS
4 a : vivid and deep in color <a rich red> b : full and mellow in tone and quality <a rich voice> c : having a strong fragrance < rich perfumes>
5 : highly productive or remunerative <a rich mine>
6 a : having abundant plant nutrients < rich soil> b : highly seasoned, fatty, oily, or sweet < rich foods> c : high in the combustible component <a rich fuel mixture> d : high in some component <cholesterol- rich foods>
7 a : ENTERTAINING also : LAUGHABLE b : MEANINGFUL , SIGNIFICANT < rich allusions> c : LUSH < rich meadows>
8 : pure or nearly pure < rich lime>
– rich · ness noun
synonyms RICH , WEALTHY , AFFLUENT , OPULENT mean having goods, property, and money in abundance. RICH implies having more than enough to gratify normal needs or desires <became rich through shrewd investing>. WEALTHY stresses the possession of property and intrinsically valuable things < wealthy landowners>. AFFLUENT suggests prosperity and an increasing wealth <an affluent society>. OPULENT suggests lavish expenditure and display of great wealth, more often applying to things than people <an opulent mansion>.