Adjectives: rich vs wealthy

The words rich and wealthy are actually synonyms. Both are often used when you are describing a person or place that has a lot of money and possessions. However, in some cases, only rich is possible.

• She is a very rich/wealthy woman.
• He was fabulously rich/wealthy.
• This is a rich/wealthy area.

We always use rich in some fixed expressions such as stinking rich and filthy rich.

• They must be stinking/filthy rich.
• They must be stinking/filthy wealthy.

These words can function as nouns and mean all rich people. In this case, we use the definite article.

See also: Adjectival nouns

• The new tax laws will clearly benefit the rich/the wealthy.

Cases where wealthy is not possible

We use rich to refer to something that is full of interesting facts or events.

• The region has a rich tradition of folk music.
• I’m reading a book about our city’s rich history.

We use rich to refer to something that contains a large amount of useful and valuable substance.

• This cereal is rich in vitamins and minerals.
• The area has rich deposits of gold and copper.

Rich is used to refer to food that contains a large amount of fat, butter, egg, etc.

• The fruit cake was very rich.
• She loves rich chocolate desserts.

Rich land or soil contains large amounts of substances that are good for growing plants.

• The land around here is rich and green.
• They grow the vegetables in the rich soil.