rich
rich — noun
1. people who have a lot of money and valuable things, thought of as one group in s
people who have a lot of money and valuable things, thought of as one group in society
The rich in Naoko's neighbourhood have started a fund for the local library.
the rich + plural verb (have started)
The rich ought to pay more tax to support public schools, a recent survey found.
the rich + ought to [modal obligation]
The prime minister's new plan would require the rich to pay an additional five percent.
require + the rich + to-infinitive
In many countries, the rich enjoy better access to quality education and health care.
The rich often face criticism when they spend money on private jets and large yachts.
the rich [subject] + they [anaphora]
- gap between the rich and the poor
- the rich get richer
- the rich and famous
- tax the rich
- the newly rich
- the super-rich
- the wealthy
very similar in meaning; 'the wealthy' is slightly more formal and emphasises financial assets rather than disposable income
- the affluent
more formal register; often describes people with comfortable upper-middle-class lifestyles rather than extreme wealth
- the privileged
focuses on social advantages and opportunities rather than money alone; can imply unfairness
Grammar Patterns
the rich + plural verb
the + rich
Usage Note
Always requires the definite article 'the' and takes a plural verb. Cannot be used in the singular form — do not write 'a rich' to mean a rich person.
Common Mistakes
rich — adjective
1. Someone who is rich owns a large amount of money, property, or other things of g
Someone who is rich owns a large amount of money, property, or other things of great value.
Sora's family is not rich, but they save enough money for one holiday each year.
not rich — common negative structure
The company made its directors rich by selling shares at a very high price.
make + [someone] + rich
Amihan dreams of becoming rich so that she can help her parents buy a house.
Some of the richest people in the world started their businesses from home.
superlative: the richest
A rich person does not always live a happier life than someone with less money.
rich + noun — attributive use
- filthy rich
- stinking rich
- get rich
- rich country
- rich family
- rich and poor
- poor
direct opposite; having very little money or property
Grammar Patterns
someone + be + rich
rich + noun
get + rich
Usage Note
When used before a noun (a rich country), it describes the general wealth of society, not necessarily every individual within it.
Common Mistakes
2. When a place or area is rich in a natural resource, it contains very large amoun
When a place or area is rich in a natural resource, it contains very large amounts of that resource inside it, such as oil beneath the ground or trees covering the land.
The region is rich in coal, and mining provides jobs for thousands of local workers.
rich in [natural resource]
Countries rich in oil often depend on its price to support their national income.
The forests of the north are rich in valuable types of wood used for furniture.
rich in [raw material]
Esme's country is rich in minerals, but the government has not yet opened any mines.
The richest fishing waters lie where cold and warm ocean currents meet.
superlative with natural resource context
- rich in oil
- rich in coal
- rich in minerals
- rich in timber
- rich in natural gas
- rich in fish
- abundant in
can describe both natural and non-natural resources
- resource-rich
a compound adjective; indicates general wealth of resources
- poor in
opposite pattern: poor in natural resources
Grammar Patterns
[place] + be + rich + in + [natural resource]
Usage Note
Frequently used with the preposition in to specify which resource. The subject is typically a country, region, or geological area.
Common Mistakes
3. If something is rich in a good quality or useful feature, it contains plenty of
If something is rich in a good quality or useful feature, it contains plenty of that thing, such as vitamins in food or historical detail in a book.
Oranges are rich in vitamin C, which helps your body fight colds.
rich in [nutrient]
The museum's library is rich in historical documents from the eighteenth century.
This part of the country is rich in wildlife, with many birds and deer.
rich in [living things]
Yi-ling's garden is rich in herbs like basil, mint, and rosemary.
rich in [specific items]
A diet rich in vegetables and fruit can help keep your heart healthy.
- rich in vitamins
- rich in nutrients
- rich in history
- rich in culture
- rich in detail
- rich in flavour
- rich in tradition
- abundant
more formal; does not require a following preposition phrase
- packed with
informal; suggests a very high density of something
- full of
common and neutral in register
- low in
opposite pattern for nutrients and features: low in fat, low in detail
- deficient in
formal; suggests not enough of something needed
Grammar Patterns
[something] + be + rich + in + [good quality/feature]
Usage Note
Distinguish from sense 2: sense 2 refers to valuable natural resources (coal, oil, minerals), while sense 3 covers any good or useful quality (nutrients, features, wildlife).
Common Mistakes
4. Rich soil or land contains the minerals and nutrients that help plants grow well
Rich soil or land contains the minerals and nutrients that help plants grow well and produce large harvests.
The rich soil in the valley helps farmers grow large harvests of rice every year.
rich soil / rich land
Maja's grandmother always said that rich earth is the secret to a beautiful garden.
After the river flooded, it left behind rich mud that made the crops grow strong.
rich mud — alluvial soil
Farmers look for rich land when they want to grow vegetables or fruit trees.
This area has the richest farmland in the country, perfect for wheat and corn.
superlative: richest farmland
- rich soil
- rich land
- rich earth
- rich farmland
- rich mud
- fertile
more common than rich for this sense; also used for creative minds
- productive
focuses on the output rather than the quality of the soil itself
Grammar Patterns
rich + [soil/land]
[soil/land] + be + rich
Usage Note
Almost exclusively used for soil, land, or agricultural areas. Do not use for bodies of water (use nutrient-rich or fertile instead for underwater environments).
Common Mistakes
5. When added to a noun as a suffix in compound words, -rich shows that a person or
When added to a noun as a suffix in compound words, -rich shows that a person or thing contains a large amount of that particular substance or quality.
People who eat a protein-rich diet often feel full for longer after meals.
compound: [noun]-rich
The oil-rich country earns most of its money from selling petroleum abroad.
Cyrus follows a fibre-rich diet that includes beans, oats, and fresh vegetables.
compound with dietary substance
Calcium-rich milk helps children build strong teeth and bones.
The iron-rich waters of the lake support a unique type of red algae.
compound with mineral in water
- protein-rich
- oil-rich
- fibre-rich
- iron-rich
- calcium-rich
- nutrient-rich
- mineral-rich
- vitamin-rich
- -poor
opposite suffix pattern: resource-poor, nutrient-poor
Grammar Patterns
[noun] + -rich
Usage Note
This is a productive suffix pattern in modern English. Common in science, nutrition, and business writing. The compound is usually written with a hyphen (protein-rich, oil-rich).
Common Mistakes
6. A rich life, story, or experience includes many exciting, meaningful, or varied
A rich life, story, or experience includes many exciting, meaningful, or varied events that make it very interesting and rewarding.
Lakshmi has lived a very rich life, travelling to over thirty countries for her work.
rich life / rich experience
The novel tells a rich story of friendship and adventure across three generations.
At the party, Carlos told rich stories about his travels through Southeast Asia.
rich + stories + about [topic]
The city offers a rich cultural life, with concerts and museums open every month.
A short visit to the old market is a rich experience of colours and smells.
lexical set: colours, smells — sensory richness
- rich life
- rich experience
- rich story
- rich history
- rich culture
- rich cultural life
Grammar Patterns
rich + [life/experience/story]
[something] + be + rich
Usage Note
Do not confuse with sense 3 (ABUNDANT IN). Sense 6 describes the quality of an experience or story being full of interesting variety, while sense 3 describes a measurable quantity of a good substance or feature.
Common Mistakes
7. An interior or object with a rich look has a lot of fine decoration, costly mate
An interior or object with a rich look has a lot of fine decoration, costly materials, and elaborate details.
The restaurant had rich red curtains and gold-painted walls.
collocation: rich [colour] + [material] for interiors
Valentina bought a rich carpet with flowers woven into the pattern.
The old palace is famous for its rich ceiling covered in painted scenes.
typically describes buildings, furniture, interiors
Tariro chose a rich fabric with layers of silk for the wedding dress.
- rich fabric
- rich curtains
- rich decoration
- rich interior
Usage Note
Used to describe visual decoration and expensive-looking design; often collocates with 'fabric', 'carpet', 'curtains', and 'decoration'.
8. Used to describe a colour that is deep and bright, a sound that is full and warm
Used to describe a colour that is deep and bright, a sound that is full and warm, or a smell or flavour that is strong and pleasant.
Maya painted the kitchen walls a rich shade of yellow that felt warm.
rich + colour word
A rich smell of fresh bread and coffee came from the bakery door.
rich + smell + source
The singer's voice had a rich, deep tone that filled the theatre.
rich + sound/voice + adjective
The soup had a rich tomato flavour from the slow-cooked ingredients.
Lakan prefers a rich red wine with a strong fruity taste.
- rich colour
- rich sound
- rich voice
- rich flavour
- rich aroma
- rich tone
Usage Note
Covers four sensory domains: colour (deep, vivid), sound (full, mellow), smell (strong, pleasant), and flavour (intense, satisfying). The exact opposite sense varies by domain: 'pale' for colour, 'thin' for sound, 'weak' for flavour.
9. A rich material such as silk, velvet, or gold thread is beautiful, of very high
A rich material such as silk, velvet, or gold thread is beautiful, of very high quality, and costly.
The bride wore a dress made of rich white silk and lace.
rich + material type
Élise bought cushions covered in a rich velvet fabric for the sofa.
The royal coat was made of rich gold cloth with jewels sewn on.
Rich materials like cashmere and wool cost more than synthetic ones.
contrasts with synthetic / cheap materials
- rich silk
- rich velvet
- rich fabric
- rich material
- rich cloth
Usage Note
Restricted to materials and fabrics; do not confuse with sense 7 (ornamented style). Rich materials have inherent quality and cost, while an ornamented room has decorative details added to it.
Common Mistakes
10. People say food is rich when it has plenty of butter, cream, oil, or eggs, givin
People say food is rich when it has plenty of butter, cream, oil, or eggs, giving it a strong taste that feels heavy.
The chocolate mousse was so rich that Yuna could only eat half.
so + rich + that + result clause
Eli made a rich pasta sauce with cream and parmesan cheese.
Rich food is fine for celebrations but too heavy for everyday meals.
collocation: rich food
This butter cake is very rich, so I like it with a cup of tea.
- rich food
- rich sauce
- rich cake
- rich dessert
- rich flavour
- too rich
Usage Note
Rich food is typically associated with desserts, creamy sauces, and fatty dishes. Do not use 'rich' for spicy/hot food (use 'spicy' instead) or sour food. Often followed by 'so…that' to describe the effect.
Common Mistakes
11. Said about a criticism that is unfair or surprising because the person making th
Said about a criticism that is unfair or surprising because the person making the criticism has the same fault they are pointing out in someone else.
"You spend too much money!" "Oh, that's rich coming from the person who buys new shoes every week!"
fixed phrase: That's rich coming from [someone]
My brother called me lazy — that's pretty rich, considering he never helps at home.
Her brother called her messy, and Tara just said, "That's rich coming from you!"
My uncle said I drive too fast — rich coming from a man with three tickets.
variation: 'rich coming from' without 'that's'
- that's rich
- a bit rich
- coming from him/her/you
- ironic
broader; describes any situation where the opposite of what is expected happens
- hypocritical
stronger; claims the person is acting unfairly, not just that the remark is surprising
Grammar Patterns
That's rich (coming from/talking about + person)
That's rich, considering…
Usage Note
Almost always used in the fixed expression 'That's rich' or 'a bit rich'; always occurs after the verb 'be'. The critical part must have a named referent for the comparison — 'coming from him/her/you' or 'considering [fact]'.
Common Mistakes
strike it rich
idiomTo become very wealthy, often in a sudden or surprising way.
After years of hard work, Min finally struck it rich with her invention.
Did you hear that Brian struck it rich in the stock market last year?
rich — suffix
1. when you add this suffix to a noun with a hyphen, you make an adjective that mea
when you add this suffix to a noun with a hyphen, you make an adjective that means 'providing a lot of that valuable thing' — an oil-rich area provides a lot of oil, and a nutrient-rich meal contains plenty of nutrients.
The oil-rich region attracted many international companies looking for new resources.
hyphenated compound before a noun
Mira follows a nutrient-rich diet that includes lots of fresh vegetables and fish.
compound modifier before a noun
Farmers prefer mineral-rich soil because it helps crops grow without chemical fertilisers.
The coastal waters near Valentina's village are iron-rich, giving the sand a reddish colour.
compound after linking verb be
- oil-rich
- mineral-rich
- nutrient-rich
- protein-rich
- iron-rich
- vitamin-rich
- fiber-rich
- calcium-rich
- abounding in
much more formal; used before a noun with 'in' (abounding in minerals)
- full of
less precise; does not imply high value of the substance
Grammar Patterns
[noun] + -rich
X-rich + [noun]
be + X-rich
Usage Note
Used as a suffix or combining form. Always hyphenated when appearing before a noun (an oil-rich region). May also follow a linking verb without hyphenation after the noun (the soil is iron rich), but the hyphenated form is recommended in both positions for clarity.
Common Mistakes
Word family
Synonym discussion
Sense: adjective/1
「rich」的許多同義詞各自專屬於某個特定用法，不能隨意互換。在「有錢」的義項（adjective/1）中，**wealthy** 比 rich 更正式，通常指長期或繼承而來的資產（a wealthy family），而 rich 則較口語、範圍更廣（get rich quick）。在「含有大量」的義項（adjective/2, 3）中，**abundant** 強調數量多且充足（abundant rainfall），不帶「有價值」的含義；**plentiful** 側重供應充足不匱乏（plentiful food），兩者都不能直接放在名詞前形成複合詞。在「土壤肥沃」（adjective/4）的義項中，**fertile** 比 rich 更常用且更正式（fertile farmland），也可用於比喻（fertile imagination），而 rich 只限於描述土壤本身。在「色彩濃郁」（adjective/8）的義項中，**vivid** 強調明亮清晰（vivid blue），**deep** 強調飽和度而非明亮度（deep red），rich 則同時涵蓋兩者。在「食物油膩」（adjective/10）的義項中，**heavy** 強調吃完後的飽脹感（a heavy meal），較 neutral；rich 則帶有「大量使用奶油、蛋、糖」的具體暗示。使用時應先確定 rich 的哪個義項，再挑選對應的同義詞——不可用 wealthy 來形容土壤，也不可用 fertile 來形容財富。
Common collocations
Nouns
- rich country
- rich culture
- rich history
- rich tradition
- rich flavour
Adverbs
- extremely rich
- incredibly rich
- very rich
- fairly rich
- newly rich
Phrases
- the rich and the poor
- from rags to riches
- rich beyond measure
Prepositions
- rich in [something]
Etymology
Rich comes from the Old English word rīċe, which meant 'powerful' or 'of high rank' — the quality of a ruler. That word came from Proto-Germanic *rīkijaz, itself borrowed from Celtic *rīgos, meaning 'king'. Over many centuries the meaning shifted from 'powerful' towards 'wealthy', because in early societies power and wealth went together. Later the word expanded to describe anything plentiful (rich in minerals), intense (a rich colour), or heavy (rich food), though all these uses still carry the core idea of abundance.