Is Rich Adjective, Verb Or Adverb? 5 Facts (When & Examples)

Wealthy, affluent, prosperous, etc. are the words that are associated with the application of the word “rich”. Let us check some other roles that “rich” plays.

The word “rich” can be used as an adjective to convey the meaning of being wealthy in money, high in taste, etc. The adverbial form of “rich” is “richly,” while there are two types of verb forms for the word “rich”. The intransitive verb form is “to become rich” and the transitive verb form is “to enrich”.

Let us go through important facts and explanations related to the use of the various forms of the word “rich”.

When is “rich” an adjective?

Now, we already know that the word “rich” can be used as an adjective. Let us check when we can use the adjective “rich”.

The adjective “rich” can be used in a sentence to convey meaning such as prosperous, wealthy, well-off, affluent, and so on to any of the following. The adjective “rich” can be used to show the attributes of a single noun, a plural noun, a single noun phrase, a plural noun phrase, a single pronoun, and a plural pronoun.

The adjective “rich” can also be used to show similarity, to make comparison, or to mark the superiority of any noun or noun equivalent.

Is “rich” a descriptive adjective?

A descriptive adjective is all about the elaboration of the description in one word. Let us check if the adjective “rich” belongs to descriptive adjective or not.

The word “rich” belongs to the category of descriptive adjective in parts of speech. The word “rich” has a variety of uses. It is not only limited in the meaning of “wealth of money” but also high in taste, tradition, dressing sense, etc., along with some ironic manner to criticize someone indirectly.

When we can use “rich” as a descriptive adjective?

The word “rich” can be used in a sentence when we need to focus on any of the below-listed attributes of a noun or noun equivalent.

• The adjective “rich” can describe a person who has lots of money.
• The adjective “rich” can describe a person who has lots of knowledge, culture, tradition, manners, etc.
• The adjective “rich” can describe the attributes of a food item which is good in taste, high in spices, well served etc.
• The adjective “rich” can describe land that is good for farming.
• The adjective “rich” can describe an object that is of high quality.
• The adjective “rich” can describe an object that is interesting.

Example of “rich” as a descriptive adjective –

Now, we will learn about examples that are framed with the adjective “rich”. Related explanations are also given herewith.

Example	Explanation
The books in my library are rich in information related to the historical background of our nation.	The adjective “rich” is used to show that the books in the speaker’s library have lots of information in them.
The families of my ancestors were not only rich but also widely acknowledged by the society of that time due to their education.	The adjective “rich” is used to show that the family of the speaker’s ancestors was very wealthy and educated.
The food served in yesterday’s marriage ceremony were not only rich in taste but also well served.	The adjective “rich” is used to show that the food of the marriage ceremony was very tasty.
A genuine school teacher never differentiates between a student of a rich family and a student of a poor family.	The adjective “rich” is used to show that some students come from wealthy families, but a genuine teacher looks at all students from an equal perspective.
I do not like to eat foods that are rich in spices as I can not stand spicy food.	The adjective “rich” is used to show that the speaker does not like to eat food that has enough spices on it.
It is very tough to go to restaurants with rich friends as they always order expensive foot items, but my pocket does not support that.	The adjective “rich” is used to show that the speaker can not go to restaurants with friends who have lots of money because they always order expensive food.
Sandip always dreams of being rich in life but never puts in hard work to achieve the same.	The adjective “rich” is used to show that Sandip never tries hard but always dreams of being a person who has lots of money.

Is “rich” a verb?

The same verb can be used in two ways through transitive and intransitive methods of application. Let us check if the word “rich” can play the role of a verb.

The word “rich” can certainly be a part of the group verb as the verb form and adjective form of the word “rich” are the same.

When we can use the verb “rich”?

The verb “rich” can be used when we want to show or depict that any living person or any object has gained quality through the mode of money, taste, tradition, culture, knowledge, etc.

Which type of verb is “rich”?

We can use the verb “rich” in both transitive and intransitive manners.

Transitive: We need to use the term “to enrich” as a transitive verb form of the word “rich”.

Intransitive: We need to use the term “to become rich” as an intransitive verb form of the word “rich”.

Example of “rich” as a verb –

Here are some examples which are framed with the verb “rich.”

Example	Explanation
1. There is no shortcut to becoming rich except through hard work and dedication towards your passion.	The intransitive verb form “to become rich” is in use to show that we must do hard work and have dedication towards our passion to gain lots of money.
2. Mina is trying shortcut methods to enrich the flavor of the cooked meat.	The transitive verb form “to enrich” is in use to show that Mina is trying to increase the flavour of the food item.
3. Sandip has become rich in a very short time as his grandparents left a huge amount of company shares for him.	The intransitive verb form “to become rich” is in use to show that Sandip has gained lots of money owing to his grandparents.
4. It is not easy to enrich a rangoli with lots of bright colors.	The transitive verb form “to enrich” is in use to show that the colors of rangoli can become brighter with the help of proper colors.
5. Pijush tried hard and long to become rich through their family business but failed as he had zero knowledge of running a business.	The transitive verb form “to enrich” is in use to show that Pijush tried to earn money through business but failed.

Is “rich” an adverb?

We have already learned about using “rich” as an adjective and a verb. Let us check if the word “rich” can perform the role of an adverb or not.

The word “rich” can not be used as an adverb in a sentence. The adverbial form of the word “rich” is “richly”. Words like “so splendidly,” “magnificently,” etc. are some of the words which can describe the adverb “richly” in the best manner.

When we can use “richly” as an adverb?

We can use the adverbial form “richly” when we need to convey any of the following meanings:

• The adverb “richly” can be used to convey a manner in which something has been done nicely or beautifully.
• The adverb “richly” can be used to convey the fact that something is high through our senses, like in taste, smell, or by looking at it etc.
• The adverb “richly” can be used to convey the fact that a work has been done in a great way.
• The adverb “richly” can be used to convey an amount that is large in quantity.

Which type of adverb is “richly”?

The adverb “richly” belongs to the group ‘adverbs of manner’. Adverbs of manner are mainly those adverbs that modify any action or activity in a particular manner. The manner depicted by the adverb “richly” is mainly used in a positive way. We can use “richly” in an ironic manner to disapprove of someone.

Examples of the adverb “richly”-

Let us go through examples and explanations related to the usage of the adverb “richly.”

Example	Explanation
Meals cooked by Mina not only taste well but are also richly presented to the guests.	The adverb “richly” is used to show that the meal cooked by Mina was not only made well but also finely served.
The perfume bought by my brother is richly floral and well-scented.	The adverb “richly” is used to show that the perfume bought by the speaker’s brother was highly floral scented.
The junior staff of the office must be richly praised for their hard work to get the best outcome from them.	The adverb “richly” is in use to show that junior office staff must be nicely rewarded for their hard work.
The presentation for the upcoming project has been richly framed by Mr. Roy.	The adverb “richly” is used to show that Mr. Roy had made the presentation for the project in a very perfect manner.
The marriage hall of my sister-in-law has been richly decorated with white flowers.	The adverb “richly” is used to show that the respective marriage hall was very well decorated.

Conclusion

Let us conclude the discussion by looking at some combination words which can be used to describe the adjective “rich”; well-endowed, deep-pocketed, well-heeled etc. In English literature, the combination word ‘silk-stocking’ is sometimes used in place of “rich,” though this is not common in spoken English.