Words / C2

AV-uh-ris/ˈævərɪs/

Avarice is extreme greed for money or possessions: a study of avarice, avarice of the landlords. Greed is the everyday word; cupidity is a close, even more literary cousin; miserliness stresses not spending. Avaricious is the adjective. Formal and disapproving — almost always a vice in the telling. In speech, greed is enough. Avarice is hunger for more, not mere careful budgeting. Do not use it for a sensible saving habit you happen to dislike.

Meaning

Extreme greed for money or possessions (formal, disapproving).

Examples

• “The novel is a study of avarice.”
• “The novel is a study of avarice: every kindness is priced.”
• “Avarice, not need, explained the fees: the books still came from a photocopier.”

Good to know

Extreme greed (formal, disapproving). Everyday: greed. Close: cupidity. Adjective: avaricious. A vice, not thrift. Literary/moralising tone.

Near in meaning

greed

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