1having a great deal of money or assets; wealthy:a rich and famous family (as plural noun the rich)every day the split between the rich and the poor widens
(of a country or region) having valuable natural resources or a successful economy:rich countries can afford to spend money on the environment
of expensive materials or workmanship; demonstrating wealth:rich mahogany furniture
generating wealth; valuable:not all footballers enjoy rich rewards from the game
2existing in plentiful quantities; abundant:the rich flora and fauna of the forest
having (a particular thing) in large amounts:many vegetables and fruits are rich in vitamins [in combination]:a protein-rich diet
(of food) containing a large amount of fat, spices, sugar, etc.:dishes with wonderfully rich sauces
(of drink) full-bodied:a rich and hoppy best bitter
(of the fuel and air mixture in an internal-combustion engine) containing a high proportion of fuel:crank the engine until it fires and return the mixture to ‘rich’
3producing a large quantity of something:novels have always been a rich source of material for the film industry
(of land) having the properties necessary to produce fertile growth:the city is surrounded by rich agricultural land
(of a mine or mineral deposit) yielding a large quantity of precious metal:one of the richest phosphate mines in the West
4(of a colour, sound, smell, etc.) pleasantly deep or strong:his rich bass voicebasmati rice has a rich aroma
5interesting because full of variety:what a full, rich life you lead!
6 informal (of a remark) causing ironic amusement or indignation:these comments are a bit rich coming from a woman with no money worries
