# Matthew effect

> English word · Proper noun

## Definitions
1. The phenomenon by which the rich get richer and the poor get poorer, either in terms of literal wealth or in terms of fame, status, etc.

## Etymology
Coined by sociologist Robert K. Merton in 1968, in reference to Matthew 25:29.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/matthew-effect