Definition

Noun (plural) 1. Wealth, abundant valuable possessions or resources: A large quantity of money, property, or other valuable material assets. 2. Abundant supply of a desirable thing: A plentiful amount of something valuable or desirable, not necessarily material.

Usage and Examples

• As a plural noun referring to material wealth:
  • He inherited great riches from his family.
  • The story is about a man who discovers hidden riches but loses his happiness.
• Used figuratively for non-material abundance:
  • The book is a treasure trove of intellectual riches.
  • Her friendship brought riches to my life that money cannot buy.

Advanced Usage and Notes

• Grammatical Number: "Riches" is a plural noun and typically takes a plural verb (e.g., ). However, it can sometimes be treated as a singular concept, especially in more literary contexts.
• "From rags to riches": A common idiom describing a person's rise from extreme poverty to great wealth.
  • His from rags to riches story inspired many.
• "Embarrassment of riches": An idiom meaning an overabundance of good things, making it difficult to choose.
  • With three excellent job offers, she faced an embarrassment of riches.

Variants and Related Words

• Rich (adjective): Having a lot of money or assets; abundant.
  • A rich businessman; a rich sauce.
• Richly (adverb): In a rich way; fully or abundantly.
  • He was richly rewarded for his work.
• Enrich (verb): To make richer, especially in quality.
  • Fertilizer enriches the soil. Travel enriches the mind.

Synonyms

• Wealth: A large amount of money and possessions.
• Fortune: A large amount of money or assets.
• Affluence: The state of having a great deal of money.
• Opulence: Great wealth or luxuriousness.
• Treasure: A collection of precious things.

Antonyms

• Poverty: The state of being extremely poor.
• Destitution: Extreme poverty.
• Penury: Extreme poverty to the point of lacking basic necessities.

Noun

1. an abundance of material possessions and resources