18 Ways to Say Rich

18 Ways to Say Rich in English (with Examples)

18 Ways to Say Rich

Hello English learners. Using the word rich again and again can make your English sound repetitive — especially in Cambridge exams, formal writing, or polished speaking. Fortunately, English offers a wide range of alternatives, from neutral and formal vocabulary to informal and idiomatic expressions used in everyday conversation. In this lesson, you’ll learn 18 natural ways to say “rich”, with clear meanings, usage notes, and example sentences to help you use them confidently and accurately.

Neutral & formal alternatives (writing & exams)

These words are ideal for essays, reports, articles, and formal speaking.

Wealthy

Meaning: Rich; having a large amount of money or assets.

Jane worked as an au pair for a wealthy British family.

Affluent

Meaning: Having a lot of money or property; often used in formal contexts.

The area is known for its affluent residents and high standards of living.

Prosperous

Meaning: Financially successful, often due to good management or favourable conditions.

Farmers in this region have become increasingly prosperous.

Well off

Meaning: Having enough money to live comfortably.

Although they were well off, they chose to live a modest life.

In the black

Meaning: Financially profitable; not in debt.

The company is finally in the black after years of losses. 

Informal & spoken English

These expressions are common in everyday conversation, but are usually avoided in formal writing.

Minted (British English)

Meaning: Extremely rich.

The man who owns that yacht must be minted.

In the money

Meaning: Having plenty of money to spend.

Look at his new car — he’s clearly in the money.

Rolling in money / Rolling in it

Meaning: Extremely rich.

She’s rolling in money since her app went global.

Made of money

Meaning: Very rich (often used negatively or jokingly).

I can’t afford that — I’m not made of money!

Idiomatic & figurative expressions

These expressions add colour and naturalness to spoken English.

With deep pockets

Meaning: Having a lot of money available to spend.

Only investors with deep pockets can afford projects like this.

On easy street

Meaning: Living a comfortable life without financial worries.

They’ve been on easy street since selling their business.

In the lap of luxury

Meaning: Surrounded by comfort and wealth.

She grew up in the lap of luxury.

Live high on the hog

Meaning: To live very comfortably and spend generously.

They’ve been living high on the hog since winning the lottery.

Money coming out of your ears

Meaning: Having far more money than you need (informal and humorous).

If the deal goes through, he’ll have money coming out of his ears.

Expressions with social or emotional meaning

These often describe how someone became rich, or how others view them.

Born with a silver spoon in your mouth

Meaning: Born into a wealthy family.

He never worried about money — he was born with a silver spoon in his mouth.

Fat cat

Meaning: A powerful, wealthy person (often negative).

The protest targeted corporate fat cats.

Well-heeled

Meaning: Rich and well-dressed; socially comfortable.

The event attracted a well-heeled crowd.

On the gravy train

Meaning: Making easy money, often with little effort (informal).

Once the contracts were signed, they were on the gravy train.

In Cambridge exams, neutral and formal alternatives like wealthy, affluent, and prosperous are safer choices. Idioms such as rolling in money or live high on the hog are excellent for Speaking, but should be used carefully in writing.

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