flourish

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "flourish" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe thriving, growing, or developing in a healthy or vigorous way, often in a positive context. Example: "With the right support and resources, the community began to flourish, showcasing its vibrant culture and talents."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"They knew we wanted to stop consumers being ripped off, but weren't convinced we also wanted businesses to grow and flourish.

The Guardian

Still, the story ends with a glorious flourish that should be pure feelgood cheese but actually comes across as uncontrived and genuinely emotional (it would be a crime to spoil it).

The Guardian - Film

New technology has enabled a host of cutting-edge distribution methods to flourish and the argument goes that before long we will all eschew the local multiplex or arthouse in favour of curling up on the sofa with an iPad or congregating in front of a TV to stream new releases.

The Guardian - Film

It means accepting that the spirit of inquiry should always be allowed to flourish and go wherever it is led, even if these are paths that continue to displace the centrality of the human or upset the usual ways of conceiving of the world.

The Guardian - Opinion

He recounted the latest news – about his business, his brothers, his dad's heart attack – and finished with a flourish that, in retrospect, seems haunting and prescient.

The Guardian

It is well known that human trafficking and slavery flourish in countries where victim protection and victims rights are weak".

The Guardian

"No other British bird has come so close to the brink of extinction before defying all the odds to flourish in our modern landscape.

The Guardian

Though the growth will surely take many years and require persistent care, the women of Bosnia & Herzegovina hope that the seeds they have planted will continue to flourish.

The Guardian

The international master and chess journalist Malcolm Pein, a gentler soul, is one of those who want to see the game flourish again in British schools.

The Guardian - Opinion

The undercurrent goes way beyond the superficial, and the strange or original receive the support and opportunities – courtesy of some strong government initiatives – to flourish.

The Guardian - Travel

Hilton blames housing associations for allowing regeneration disputes to flourish.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "flourish", consider the specific aspect of growth or prosperity you want to emphasize. Choose synonyms like "thrive" for resilience or "prosper" for financial success to add precision to your writing.

Common error

While "flourish" is versatile, avoid overusing it in formal or academic writing where more precise vocabulary might be preferred. In such cases, consider using terms that specify the type of growth or development you are describing, such as "expand", "advance", or "progress".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "flourish" is as an intransitive verb, describing the state of thriving or growing vigorously. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is also used as a noun that indicates a dramatic gesture or an ornamentation. Examples from Ludwig showcase both usages.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Formal & Business

18%

Science

19%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "flourish" is a versatile term used to describe thriving, growing, or developing in a healthy and vigorous way. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in various contexts. It functions primarily as a verb, signifying positive growth and success, but can also be used as a noun. Its register is generally neutral, making it suitable for news, business, and general writing. Related phrases include "thrive" and "prosper", offering nuanced alternatives depending on the desired emphasis. When using "flourish", consider the specific context and choose synonyms to enhance precision and clarity. The high frequency of its usage in reputable sources like The Guardian and The Economist attests to its widespread acceptance and relevance in contemporary English.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Thrive

Indicates vigorous growth and prosperity, similar to "flourish" but often implies a more resilient and robust development.

Prosper

Focuses on financial success and well-being, a specific aspect of what "flourish" can encompass.

Burgeon

Implies rapid growth and development, especially in the early stages.

Blossom

Suggests a beautiful and flourishing development, often used in a more poetic or metaphorical sense.

Boom

Refers to a period of rapid economic growth and success, a specific type of "flourishing".

Achieve success

Highlights the attainment of goals and positive outcomes, which can result from "flourishing".

Reach fruition

Suggests that something has reached its full potential and is successfully developed, akin to "flourishing".

Come into its own

Implies that something is finally achieving its full potential and becoming successful.

Grow strong

Focuses on the development of strength and resilience, an element of "flourishing".

Bear fruit

Highlights the positive results and outcomes of effort and development, a consequence of "flourishing".

FAQs

How to use "flourish" in a sentence?

You can use "flourish" to describe something that is growing vigorously, prospering, or developing successfully. For example, "The arts scene began to flourish after the new gallery opened."

What can I say instead of "flourish"?

You can use alternatives like "thrive", "prosper", or "burgeon" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "flourish" or "flourishing"?

"Flourish" is the base verb form, while "flourishing" is the present participle or gerund form. Use "flourish" as a verb (e.g., "The business will flourish") and "flourishing" as a descriptive adjective or in continuous tenses (e.g., "a flourishing business").

What's the difference between "flourish" and "prosper"?

Both words indicate success, but "flourish" often implies a broader sense of growth and vitality, while "prosper" typically refers to financial or material success.