Envious: meaning, definitions and examples

Used when someone desires something that another person has. Typically, it doesn't necessarily carry a malicious intent.

• She felt envious of her friend's new car.
• He was envious of their close friendship.

Often used in relationships to describe the feeling of being worried that someone else might take what you have, such as a partner or a position. It can also refer to general envy.

• He felt jealous when he saw his partner talking to someone else.
• She was jealous of her colleague's promotion.

Used to describe a strong and often inappropriate desire for someone else's possessions, sometimes implying a greedy or selfish intent.

• The covetous businessman would do anything to acquire his competitor's company.
• Her covetous glance revealed her true feelings.

An informal and often humorous way to describe someone who is jealous or envious. It suggests mild jealousy without serious resentment.

• She became green-eyed when she saw her friend's new dress.
• He's always a bit green-eyed when it comes to his brother's achievements.

Used when someone wants what another person has. It is often used in everyday conversations and doesn't necessarily carry a strong negative connotation.

• She was envious of her friend's new car.
• He's envious of his colleague's promotion.

Usually used when someone feels threatened or protective over what they have, often in relationships. It has a more emotional and sometimes negative connotation.

• He was jealous of his girlfriend's close male friends.
• She felt jealous when her coworker received praise for a project she worked on.

Has a more intense and negative connotation, often used in literary contexts or formal writing to describe an intense desire, especially for something that is not rightfully yours.

• The covetous king wanted to seize his neighbor's land.
• Her covetous eyes were fixed on the priceless artifact.

An idiomatic expression that is synonymous with jealousy. It's often used in a more poetic or descriptive manner and sometimes in older or literary texts.

• The green-eyed monster reared its head when he saw his ex with someone new.
• Her green-eyed glance revealed her true feelings.