Envy

/ˈɛnvi/

Meaning & Definition

noun

A feeling of discontented or resentful longing aroused by someone else's possessions, qualities, or luck.

She felt a surge of envy when she saw her friend's new car.

An object of envy.

His promotion was the envy of his colleagues.

verb

To desire to have a quality, possession, or other desirable attribute belonging to (someone else).

He envied his neighbor's beautiful garden.

To feel envious of someone or something.

They envied her ability to easily make friends.

Middle English 'envie', from Old French 'envie', from Latin 'invidia', meaning 'to look at with malice'.

green-eyed monster

A metaphor for jealousy and envy.

envy is a sin

A saying indicating that envy is morally wrong.

to eat one's heart out

To suffer from envy or longing.

jealousy

An emotion related to fear of loss or rivalry.

covet

To desire something that belongs to someone else.

Green-eyed

She's been feeling a bit green-eyed about his promotion.

Jelly

I was so jelly when I saw her new car.