Emotions / B2

ENV-ee/ˈenvi/

Envy is the feeling of wanting what someone else has (usually uncountable as a feeling): green with envy; envy of. As a verb, to feel that way: envy someone. Envious is the adjective (this batch); jealousy often guards a relationship; covet is more formal. Envy in the ethics extract still needs the named example. Mix-up: envy vs envoy; end; do not write envy for a named budget line that is simply larger.

Meaning

The feeling of wanting what someone else has; as a verb, to feel that way (usually uncountable as a feeling).

Examples

• “Envy in the ethics extract still needs the named example, not a caption about “wanting more”.”
• “They envied the surplus in the accounts, which is the verb sense — still quote the £ figure.”

Good to know

envy of; green with envy; to envy someone. Adjective: envious (this batch). Close: jealousy / covetousness. Trap: envoy. Ethics, literature, and citizenship. Wanting what someone else has — name the example or quote the £.

Near in meaning

jealousy, resentment, covetousness

Topics

New