Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[learner1]

Hello,

'He became wealthy/rich after winning the lottery.'

Do 'wealthy' and 'rich' have the same meaning here?
If not, what is the difference between them?

Thank you very much.

[bud]

To me, they are the same. I'm not sure, but some people might consider wealthy to be the richest of the rich.

[Philo Kevetch]

Hello Bud -

The words do seem to be used to mean the same thing -
for example - Tevyes' solo, 'If I Were a Rich Man' (Fiddler On The Roof).

'...consider wealthy to be the richest of the rich.'

A person might become rich. - Others are born into a wealthy family.

Hello Learner -

The difference between the words might be easier to see when not used to describe money -

A farmer might be blessed with rich soil.

A wealth of knowledge about farming might produce bumper crops in that rich soil.

Philo

[learner1]

Hello bud and Philo,

Thank you both very much for your comments. I have one more queston about 'wealthy'. e.g.

'He became/got wealthy because of the inheritance.'

Are 'became' and got' fine here?

Thank you very much.

[bud]

Hi Philo - yes, good point!

Learner1, both "become" and "get" work in the present tense, so I guess we could use "became" and "got" in the past. However, "He got wealthy" sounds a little clanky to me. "Became" sounds much better, in my opinion.

[learner1]

Hello bud,

Thank you very much for answering my question again.