Covet: meaning, definitions and examples
๐
covet
[ หkสvษชt ]
desire
To covet means to yearn to possess or have something, especially something that belongs to someone else. It is a strong desire or craving for something that is not rightfully yours.
Synonyms
crave, desire, envy, long for.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| covet |
Used when you want something very much, especially something that belongs to someone else. It often has a negative connotation, implying jealousy or greed.
|
| crave |
Used when you have a strong desire for something, like food, attention, or a particular experience. It usually implies an intense or urgent need.
|
| desire |
Used when you have a strong feeling of wanting something or someone. It can refer to both physical and emotional wants.
|
| envy |
Used when you feel unhappy because someone else has something you want. It carries a negative connotation, implying resentment or bitterness.
|
| long for |
Used when you have a strong emotional desire for something, often something distant or unattainable. It conveys a sense of yearning or nostalgia.
|
Examples of usage
- I couldn't help but covet my neighbor's new car.
- She secretly coveted her friend's designer handbag.
- The princess covets the throne that rightfully belongs to her brother.
strong desire
Covet can also be used as a noun to describe a strong desire or craving for something. It is often associated with wanting something that is forbidden or not easily attainable.
Synonyms
craving, desire, longing, yearning.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| covet |
Typically used when someone wants something that belongs to someone else, often with a sense of jealousy or greed. It has a slightly negative connotation.
|
| craving |
Used when someone has a strong desire for something, often related to food or a specific experience. It usually conveys an intense, almost uncontrollable urge.
|
| longing |
Used when someone feels a deep, often sad or nostalgic, wish for something. It usually implies an emotional attachment or a sense of missing something.
|
| yearning |
Similar to 'longing', but often conveys a more intense and passionate feeling of wanting something that is often difficult or impossible to get.
|
| desire |
A general term for wanting something, which can be used in both formal and informal contexts. It doesn't have any negative connotation by itself.
|
Examples of usage
- Her covet for power led to her downfall.
- The covet for fame consumed him.
Translations
Translations of the word "covet" in other languages:
๐ต๐น cobiรงar
๐ฎ๐ณ เคฒเคพเคฒเคธเคพ เคเคฐเคจเคพ
๐ฉ๐ช begehren
๐ฎ๐ฉ mengidam
๐บ๐ฆ ะถะฐะดะฐัะธ
๐ต๐ฑ poลผฤ daฤ
๐ฏ๐ต ๅๆใใ (ใใคใผใใใ)
๐ซ๐ท convoiter
๐ช๐ธ codiciar
๐น๐ท imrenmek
๐ฐ๐ท ๊ฐ๋งํ๋ค
๐ธ๐ฆ ูุดุชูู
๐จ๐ฟ touลพit
๐ธ๐ฐ tรบลพiลฅ
๐จ๐ณ ่ง่ง (jรฌyรบ)
๐ธ๐ฎ hrepeneti
๐ฎ๐ธ รพrรก
๐ฐ๐ฟ าาฑะผะฐัะปะฐะฝั
๐ฌ๐ช แแแขแแ แแ แแแแกแฃแ แแแแ
๐ฆ๐ฟ hษsrษt รงษkmษk
๐ฒ๐ฝ codiciar
Etymology
The word 'covet' has its origins in Middle English and Old French, ultimately derived from the Latin word 'cupere' meaning 'desire'. The concept of coveting has been present throughout history, often associated with the Ten Commandments in the Bible, specifically the prohibition against coveting one's neighbor's possessions. The idea of covetousness as a sinful desire has been explored in various religious and philosophical texts.