filthy rich

USAGE SUMMARY

"filthy rich" is a correct phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe a person who has a lot of money - for example, "He's so filthy rich he could buy anything he wanted".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

51 human-written examples

Filthy rich.

The Guardian

FILTHY RICH, by Dorothy Samuels.

The New York Times - Books

I got filthy rich milking the system.

The Washington Post

And a few people are getting filthy rich from it.

Independent

"Biggest ever filthy rich orgy," screamed its headline.

Independent

It was also different not being filthy rich".

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

8 human-written examples

Have you had it with sports defined by coach-choking players and filthy- rich teenagers?

Forbes

Founder, The Huffington PoShe Founder and CEO, Thrive Global.

Huffington Post

They say their goal is "to be filthy rich".

Vice

But I'm absolutely not relaxed about a few people being filthy rich while others are destitute.

Independent

"How To Teach Filthy Rich Girls:" Pilot order.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "filthy rich" when you want to emphasize not just wealth, but also a possible negative connotation related to how that wealth was acquired or is used. Be mindful of the context.

Common error

Avoid using "filthy rich" in formal or professional writing, as it carries a somewhat informal and potentially judgmental tone. Opt for more neutral terms like "extremely wealthy" or "highly affluent" in those settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "filthy rich" functions primarily as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun to describe an individual or entity possessing extreme wealth. Ludwig provides examples showing its use in describing people's financial status.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "filthy rich" is an adjective phrase used to describe someone with extreme wealth, often implying a critical or envious perspective. As Ludwig confirms, it's grammatically correct, though its informal register makes it more suitable for news and media or informal conversation than formal academic or business writing. While alternatives like "extremely wealthy" or "incredibly affluent" exist, "filthy rich" carries a unique connotation of excess and potentially questionable means, it is not really used in professional or academic context. Understanding its nuanced usage is key to effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extremely wealthy

Focuses on the level of wealth without the potentially negative connotation.

incredibly affluent

Highlights a high standard of living and financial security.

stinking rich

Similar in meaning but more informal and often humorous.

rolling in money

Suggests having a lot of money to spend freely.

loaded with cash

Emphasizes the abundance of readily available money.

swimming in wealth

Paints a picture of being surrounded by riches.

opulently wealthy

Highlights a luxurious lifestyle due to wealth.

has deep pockets

Suggests having considerable financial resources.

made of money

Informal way of saying someone is very wealthy.

wealthy beyond measure

Highlights the immeasurable aspect of wealth.

FAQs

How can I use "filthy rich" in a sentence?

You can use "filthy rich" to describe someone who has a lot of money, like in the sentence: "The protagonist discovered that her long-lost relative was "filthy rich" and left her a large inheritance."

What's the difference between "filthy rich" and "wealthy"?

"Wealthy" is a general term for having a lot of money. "Filthy rich" implies an extreme level of wealth, often with a suggestion of excess or questionable means.

What can I say instead of "filthy rich"?

You can use alternatives like "extremely wealthy", "incredibly affluent", or "stinking rich" depending on the context and the desired tone.

Is "filthy rich" considered offensive?

While not inherently offensive, "filthy rich" can be perceived as judgmental or negative, especially when used to describe someone directly. Consider your audience and the context when using this phrase.