cupidity

cu·pid·i·ty

noun \kyu̇-ˈpi-də-tē\

plural cu·pid·i·ties

Definition of CUPIDITY

1

: inordinate desire for wealth : avarice, greed

2

: strong desire : lust

Examples of CUPIDITY

1. The evidence revealed the cupidity of the company's directors.
2. <reports of great treasure in the Indies inflamed the cupidity of Columbus's crew>

Origin of CUPIDITY

Middle English cupidite, from Anglo-French cupidité, from Latin cupiditat-, cupiditas — more at covet

First Known Use: 15th century

Related to CUPIDITY

Synonyms

acquisitiveness, avarice, avariciousness, avidity, avidness, covetousness, greed, graspingness, greediness, mercenariness, rapaciousness, rapacity

Related Words

commercialism, materialism, possessiveness; gluttonousness, gluttony, piggishness; appetite, craving, desire, drive, hankering, hunger, itch, longing, lust, passion, pining, ravenousness, thirst, voracity, yearning, yen; egoism, egotism, self-centeredness, self-interest, selfishness, self-regard

Near Antonyms

contentment, fulfillment (or fulfilment), gratification, satisfaction; bounteousness, bountifulness, bounty, charity, generosity, generousness, largesse (also largess), liberality, magnanimity, openhandedness, openheartedness, unselfishness; altruism, selflessness

Rhymes with CUPIDITY

acidity, aridity, avidity, flaccidity, floridity, fluidity, frigidity, gelidity, gravidity, humidity, hybridity, limpidity, liquidity, lividity, lucidity, morbidity, placidity, rabidity, rancidity, rapidity, rigidity, sapidity, solidity, stupidity, tepidity, timidity, torridity, turbidity, turgidity, validity, vapidity, viridity, viscidity