Words / A2

GREED-ee/ˈɡriːdi/

Greedy means wanting too much food or money: a greedy child, don’t be greedy, greedy for snacks. Hungry is needing food; greedy is taking more than a fair share. Generous is a useful opposite with money or time. Greed is the noun. Do not use greedy for “eager to learn” — that is keen or eager.

Meaning

Wanting more food, money, or things than you need.

Examples

• “Don’t be greedy — leave some cake for the others.”
• “Share the groceries and don’t be greedy with the biscuits.”
• “The greedy seagull stole a sandwich on the harbour wall.”

Good to know

don’t be greedy. Need food: hungry. Opposite (sharing): generous. Noun: greed.

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