Pros"per*ous (&?;), a. [L. prosperus or prosper, originally, answering to hope; pro according to + the root of sperare to hope. See Despair.] 1. Tending to prosperity; favoring; favorable; helpful.

A happy passage and a prosperous wind.

2. Being prospered; advancing in the pursuit of anything desirable; making gain, or increase; thriving; successful; as, a prosperous voyage; a prosperous undertaking; a prosperous man or nation.

By moderation either state to bear
Prosperous or adverse.

Syn. -- Fortunate; successful; flourishing; thriving; favorable; auspicious; lucky. See Fortunate.

-- Pros"per*ous*ly, adv. -- Pros"per*ous*ness, n.

• characterized by success
       Trading Babe Ruth was far more prosperous for the Yankees than for the Red Sox.
  
• well off; affluent
       he was raised in a very prosperous household
  
• favorable
       he chose a prosperous lottery number that evening