richer

Richer is the comparative form of the adjective rich. It denotes greater wealth, abundance, or quality relative to a reference point. The word can modify material wealth, resources, or nonmaterial properties such as flavor, texture, or experience.

Etymology: Rich descends from Old English rīc, meaning powerful or wealthy, from Proto-Germanic roots; the -er suffix marks the comparative in English and other Germanic languages. Cognates include Dutch rijker and German reicher, which share the same basic meaning.

Usage: In economic contexts, richer refers to higher income, assets, or living standards. In culinary or sensory contexts, it signals greater depth or intensity, as in richer flavors or richer colors. Structurally, richer is a standard comparative adjective: you can say far richer, much richer, or even richer depending on emphasis.

Grammatical notes: As with other comparatives, richer typically appears with a reference noun or with a preceding determiner in phrases like the richer of two countries or the richer class. It is used across varieties of English and can appear in both formal and informal discourse.

See also: rich, richness, comparative adjectives, wealth.