envy
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envy (en′vē)
noun pl. envies -·vies
- a feeling of discontent and ill will because of another's advantages, possessions, etc.; resentful dislike of another who has something that one desires
- desire for some advantage, quality, etc. that another has
- an object of envious feeling
- Obsolete ill will; spite
Etymology: ME & OFr envie < L invidia < invidus, having hatred or ill will < invidere, to look askance at < in-, in, upon + videre, to look: see wise
transitive verb envied -·vied, envying -·vy·ing
intransitive verb
Related Forms:
- envyingly en′·vy·ingly adverb
Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Alternate definitions:
envy
n.
envy
v.
to envy another is to feel ill will, jealousy, or discontent at the person's possession of something that one keenly desires to have or achieve oneself; begrudge implies an unwillingness that someone should possess or enjoy something that is needed or deserved; to covet is to long ardently and wrongfully for something that belongs to another
Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Object
- anyone: I just envy anyone who can run down my street.
Converse of object
- arouse: They couldn't see that his goodness would arouse such envy.
Converse of subject
- fuel: The " monster " is fueled by envy and can over time devour the trust and harmony in a relationship.
Modifies a noun
- fuel: Christopher Macgowan: Politics of envy fuel 4x4 hatred Published: 04 July 2006 This is not a joke.
Modifying Another Word
- sometimes: But whilst the rich sometimes envy the simpler life-style of the poor, those who are poor know the difficulties of making ends meet.
Noun used with modifier
- penis: Better handling, better brakes and without the whole junior version of penis envy that the Chopper conveyed.
Preposition: of
- world: Britain's museums are the envy of the world.
The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.
Deathopeneth the gate to good fame, and extinguisheth envy.
The dullard's envy of brilliant men is always assuaged by the suspicion that they will come to a bad end.
Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous; but who is able to stand before envy?
Webster's New World Dictionary of Quotations Copyright © 2005 by Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Published by Wiley, Hoboken, NJ. Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
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MLA Style
"envy." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009
- Your Dictionary. 5 July 2009
- <www.yourdictionary.com/envy>
APA Style
envy. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary
- Retrieved July 5th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/envy
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