prosper
gb/pɹˈɑspɚ/ us/pɹˈɑspɚ/
B2
Anglais
~ 9400
Sens
0 sens
Verbe
B2
action
1
be financially successful
To do very well in money or business, usually for a long time.
Schéma d’usage :
[someone]/[a business] prospers in [business/activity]
Erreur fréquente :
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.
Synonymes
thrive (Often used more broadly for strong growth or success, not only with money or business.)
Antonymes
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
Thèmes
business
|economy
|work
|finance
Exemples
- 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.
Exemples pédagogiques
- 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.
Verbe
B2
action
2
grow or develop very well
To grow or develop very well and be strong, healthy, or successful.
Schéma d’usage :
[someone]/[something] prospers in [conditions/place]
Erreur fréquente :
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.
Synonymes
flourish (Very close in meaning, often used for people, ideas, or plants that grow or develop well.)
Antonymes
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
Thèmes
health
|development
|society
|nature
|core_vocabulary
Exemples
- 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.
Exemples pédagogiques
- 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.
Verbe
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.
Schéma d’usage :
to prosper [someone]/[something]
Erreur fréquente :
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.
Synonymes
bless (Often used in religious language for asking God to give success, protection, or happiness; *prosper* here focuses more specifically on success.)
Antonymes
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
Thèmes
religion
|society
|success
|core_vocabulary
|communication
Exemples
- 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."
Exemples pédagogiques
- 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."
Grammaire
Forme canonique
prosper
API
GB/pɹˈɑspɚ/
US/pɹˈɑspɚ/
Syllabes et accentuation
prosper (1 syllabe)
Stress on 1st syllable (prosper)
Formes du mot
Verb
- Base: prosper
- 3rd Person Singular: prospers
- Present Participle: prospering
- Past: prospered
Famille de mots
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.
Exemples
- 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.