envy
|en-vy|
/ˈɛn.vi/
desire for others' possessions
Etymology
'envy' originates from Latin, specifically the word 'invidia,' where 'in-' meant 'upon' and 'videre' meant 'to see.'
'invidia' transformed into the Old French word 'envie,' and eventually became the modern English word 'envy' through Middle English.
Initially, it meant 'to look upon with malice,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'a feeling of discontent or covetousness.'
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a feeling of discontented or resentful longing aroused by someone else's possessions, qualities, or luck.
She felt a pang of envy when she saw her friend's new car.
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Verb 1
to desire to have a quality, possession, or other desirable attribute belonging to someone else.
He envied his brother's success.
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Idioms
Last updated: 2025/01/11 11:35