Definition

Adjective: 1. Financially comfortable or prosperous: Having sufficient wealth to live comfortably and securely, without being extremely rich. It describes a state of being moderately affluent or in good financial circumstances.

Examples of Usage

• Adjective:
  • They come from a well-to-do family and have never experienced financial hardship.
  • The charity event was attended by many well-to-do members of the local community.
  • After years of hard work, she became quite well-to-do and could afford a nicer home.

Advanced Usage

• "The well-to-do" (used as a plural noun): Refers collectively to people who are financially prosperous.
  • The tax policy was designed to favor the well-to-do.
• Implied Social Standing: The term often carries an implication of social respectability and established comfort, not just raw wealth.
  • He had the polished manners of someone well-to-do.

Variants and Related Words

• Well-off (adjective): Similar in meaning to well-to-do, indicating financial comfort.
  • Her parents are quite well-off.
• Affluent (adjective): A more formal synonym, often describing a higher degree of wealth.
  • They live in an affluent suburb.
• Prosperous (adjective): Suggests ongoing success and economic good fortune.
  • The town grew prosperous from trade.

Synonyms

• Comfortable: Having enough money to live on without worry.
• Wealthy: Having a great deal of money, assets, or resources.
• Moneyed: Possessing wealth (often used before a noun, e.g., ).

Antonyms

• Poor: Lacking sufficient money to live at a standard considered comfortable.
• Impoverished: Reduced to poverty.
• Needy: In need of basic financial support; very poor.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• Living in the lap of luxury: Living in a state of great wealth and comfort.
  • After his invention succeeded, he was living in the lap of luxury.
• To be comfortably off: To have enough money to live comfortably.
  • They are retired now but are comfortably off.

Adjective

1. in fortunate circumstances financially; moderately rich
   • they were comfortable or even wealthy by some standards
   • easy living
   • a prosperous family
   • his family is well-situated financially
   • well-to-do members of the community