Main Entry:

cov·et·ous

Pronunciation:

\ˈkə-və-təs\

Function:

adjective

Date:

13th century

1 : marked by inordinate desire for wealth or possessions or for another's possessions 2 : having a craving for possession <covetous of power>

— cov·et·ous·ly adverb

— cov·et·ous·ness noun

synonyms covetous, greedy, acquisitive, grasping, avaricious mean having or showing a strong desire for especially material possessions. covetous implies inordinate desire often for another's possessions <covetous of his brother's country estate>. greedy stresses lack of restraint and often of discrimination in desire <greedy for status symbols>. acquisitive implies both eagerness to possess and ability to acquire and keep <an eagerly acquisitive mind>. grasping adds to covetous and greedy an implication of selfishness and often suggests unfair or ruthless means <a hard grasping trader who cheated the natives>. avaricious implies obsessive acquisitiveness especially of money and strongly suggests stinginess <an avaricious miser>.