dives
C2 / Literary / Low-frequencyLiterary, formal, archaic, or biblical. In modern usage, it often appears in historical contexts, moralistic discourse, or as a literary allusion.
Definition
Meaning
a very wealthy person, especially one who uses their wealth to indulge in luxurious or opulent living.
A figurative term for someone possessing great material wealth, often with connotations of extravagance, ostentation, or self-indulgent comfort, sometimes at the expense of moral or social responsibility.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Strongly associated with the biblical parable of the rich man ('Dives') and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31). This origin imbues the word with moral and religious undertones, contrasting material wealth with spiritual poverty or judgement. It is not a neutral term for 'rich person' but carries evaluative weight.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is largely identical due to the word's literary/biblical origin. Slightly more likely to be recognised in British contexts due to traditional liturgical language and classical education, but the difference is negligible.
Connotations
In both varieties, carries strong connotations of biblical allusion, moral judgement, and archaic flavour. It is not a colloquial term.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in contemporary speech for both. Appears almost exclusively in religious, literary, academic, or historical writing.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[be/act/live] like Dives[a/the] Dives [of + place/time]Dives [verb of consumption/enjoyment: feasted, lived, clothed]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “From Dives to Lazarus (a dramatic change from great wealth to poverty)”
- “The gulf between Dives and Lazarus (a great social or economic divide)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Might be used metaphorically in commentary: 'The modern Dives of Silicon Valley.'
Academic
Used in theological studies, literature, history, and social commentary to denote a archetypally rich figure, often with critical intent.
Everyday
Virtually never used in casual conversation.
Technical
Not a technical term in any field.
Examples
By Part of Speech
noun
British English
- The Victorian mill owner was a Dives, living in splendour while his workers dwelled in slums.
- In the sermon, the vicar warned the congregation not to become a modern Dives, indifferent to suffering.
American English
- The novel's antagonist is a heartless Dives who hoards his wealth in a Manhattan penthouse.
- The politician was accused of being a Dives, feasting on lobbyists' dinners while constituents struggled.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The stark contrast between the luxury hotels and the nearby shanty towns highlighted the gap between Dives and Lazarus in the modern city.
- The biographer painted him not as a philanthropic hero, but as a latter-day Dives, whose charitable foundations were a mere footnote to a life of unparalleled consumption.
- Her thesis explored the literary trope of Dives, tracing its evolution from its biblical origins through Medieval morality plays to 19th-century social novels.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'Dives' as 'Dives into wealth' – he is immersed in luxury. Or remember the biblical story: the rich man's name was Dives.
Conceptual Metaphor
WEALTH IS A SUBSTANCE TO BE IMMERSED IN / MORAL POVERTY IS A CONSEQUENCE OF MATERIAL WEALTH.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Не переводится как просто 'богач' или 'олигарх'. Слово несёт библейский и морализаторский оттенок, отсутствующий в нейтральных русских эквивалентах. Ближайший культурный аналог — 'богач' из притчи о богаче и Лазаре, но как имя собственное.
Common Mistakes
- Using it as a general synonym for 'rich person' without the literary/biblical connotation.
- Pronouncing it as /daɪvz/ (like 'dives' the verb).
- Using it in plural form ('diveses' is non-standard).
- Confusing it with 'dive' (verb/noun) or 'diver'.
Practice
Quiz
In which context would the word 'Dives' be MOST appropriately used?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a low-frequency, literary word. Most native speakers would understand it in context due to the famous biblical parable, but it is rarely used in everyday speech or writing.
No. 'Dives' as the subject of this entry is exclusively a proper noun/archetypal name. The third-person singular present tense of the verb 'to dive' is also 'dives' (e.g., 'he dives into the pool'), but that is a completely different word with a different pronunciation (/daɪvz/) and meaning.
It is pronounced /ˈdaɪviːz/ (DYE-veez), with a long 'i' and a long 'e' sound. It does not rhyme with 'gives'.
Traditionally, yes, as it originates as a proper name (the Latin word for 'rich man' used as a name in the Bible). In modern usage, when used generically ('a dives'), it is sometimes seen in lowercase, but capitalization is preferred to maintain the link to the archetype and avoid confusion with the verb form.