prosper
gb/pɹˈɑspɚ/ us/pɹˈɑspɚ/
B2
English
~ 9400
Senses
0 senses
Verb
B2
action
1
be financially successful
To do very well in money or business, usually for a long time.
Usage pattern:
[someone]/[a business] prospers in [business/activity]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use *prosper* as a transitive verb in this sense, saying things like "He prospered his business". This is incorrect; you should say "His business prospered" or "He helped his business prosper." Learners may also confuse *prosper* with *propose* because they look similar, but the meanings are completely different.
Synonyms
thrive (Often used more broadly for strong growth or success, not only with money or business.)
Antonyms
struggle (Suggests having a hard time, especially with money or business, instead of doing well.)
Collocations
prosper in business
|continue to prosper
|prosper financially
|prosper despite [difficulties]
|help [a company] prosper
Themes
business
|economy
|work
|finance
Examples
- The company has continued to prosper despite the slowdown in the economy.
- Her small online store now prospers and brings in steady profits every month.
- Many tech firms prospered during the pandemic as more people worked from home.
- Investors expect the region to prosper as new trade agreements take effect.
- He moved to the city hoping to prosper in the real estate market.
Learner examples
- The new cafe is starting to prosper.
- His family prospered after they opened a clothing shop.
- Small farms can prosper when they sell food directly to customers.
- The town began to prosper when the factory opened.
- She worked hard and finally prospered in business.
Verb
B2
action
2
grow or develop very well
To grow or develop very well and be strong, healthy, or successful.
Usage pattern:
[someone]/[something] prospers in [conditions/place]
Common mistake:
Learners may think *prosper* is only about money. In this sense it can be used more broadly, for example with children, plants, or ideas that are doing very well. Also, avoid saying "prosper well"; *prosper* already includes the idea of doing well.
Synonyms
flourish (Very close in meaning, often used for people, ideas, or plants that grow or develop well.)
Antonyms
decline (Describes becoming weaker, smaller, or worse instead of growing or doing well.)
Collocations
children prosper
|communities prosper
|prosper and grow
|prosper in a new environment
|allow [someone/something] to prosper
Themes
health
|development
|society
|nature
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The children are prospering at their new school, both socially and academically.
- Many small communities prosper when they have access to good education and healthcare.
- Wildlife can prosper when forests are protected from illegal logging.
- Under the new coach, the young team began to prosper.
- In the right environment, new ideas can prosper quickly.
Learner examples
- The plants will prosper if you give them enough water and light.
- Children prosper when they feel safe and loved.
- Our town prospered after the new park was built.
- Artists can prosper in a city that supports culture.
- The project prospered because the team worked well together.
Verb
literary
C1
action
3
make someone or something succeed
To make a person, plan, or group successful, usually in a formal or religious way of speaking.
Usage pattern:
to prosper [someone]/[something]
Common mistake:
This meaning is rare and mostly used in formal or religious language. Learners sometimes try to use it in normal conversation (e.g., "I will prosper you"), which sounds strange or old-fashioned. In everyday English, use phrases like "help you succeed" or "help your business grow" instead.
Synonyms
bless (Often used in religious language for asking God to give success, protection, or happiness; *prosper* here focuses more specifically on success.)
Antonyms
frustrate (In formal style, can mean to prevent plans or efforts from succeeding, the opposite of making them prosper.)
Collocations
may God prosper [your efforts]
|prosper our cause
|prosper this venture
Themes
religion
|society
|success
|core_vocabulary
|communication
Examples
- May God prosper your efforts to bring peace to the region.
- They prayed that heaven would prosper their cause.
- The leader asked the crowd to work hard so that their shared dream would prosper future generations.
- May this new venture prosper all who are involved in it.
- He ended his letter with the words, "May fortune prosper your plans."
Learner examples
- They prayed that God would prosper their work.
- The king asked the gods to prosper his army.
- She wrote, "May this project prosper you and your family."
- The group hoped that time would prosper their cause.
- The old blessing said, "May God prosper your way."
Grammar
Dictionary form
prosper
IPA
GB/pɹˈɑspɚ/
US/pɹˈɑspɚ/
Syllables & stress
prosper (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (prosper)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: prosper
- 3rd Person Singular: prospers
- Present Participle: prospering
- Past: prospered
Word family
Forms
prospers
verb
prospering
verb
prospered
verb
Core family
prosperity
noun B1
prosperous
adjective B2
Related words
prosperously
adverb
Expressions
live long and prosper
1/lˈɪv lˈɔŋ ˈænd pɹˈɑspɚ/
idiom
informal
wish someone long life and success
A set phrase, made famous by Star Trek, used to wish someone a long life and a successful, happy future.
Examples
- He raised his hand in the Vulcan salute and said, "Live long and prosper."
- The actor signed my poster, adding the words, "Live long and prosper!"
- Fans often end their messages with "Live long and prosper" as a friendly goodbye.