thrive
/θraɪv/
verb
Origin
Old Norse
þrífa — to grasp, grip, or seize
Overview
Meaning Now
- To grow or develop well or vigorously.
- To prosper, flourish, or be successful.
Literal older meaning
To grasp or seize
Language path
Old Norse → Middle English → English
Earliest form
thriven
Earliest period
13th century
Journey
The word entered the English language during the Middle English period, likely through contact with the Old Norse speaking populations in England. The sense shifted from the literal 'to grasp' (still visible in the Icelandic 'þrífa', which can mean to clean or grasp) to the metaphorical sense of grasping at success and subsequently flourishing.
Evolution
- Proto-Germanic
*þrīfaną
“to grasp”
- Old Norse
þrífa
“to grasp, seize, or take hold of”
Introduced via Scandinavian influence in Middle English.
- Middle English
thriven
“to grow, increase, or prosper”
Semantic development from 'grasping' to 'taking hold of prosperity'.
- Modern English
thrive
“to flourish or prosper”
Connections
Word parts
thrive
root
to prosper
Related across languages
Old Norse
þrífa
to grasp
Icelandic
þrífast
to thrive or flourish
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External references use DefinedTerm semantics.