envy
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About Our Definitions: All forms of a word (noun, verb, etc.) are now displayed on one page.1en·vy
noun \ˈen-vē\ plural envies
Definition of ENVY
1
: painful or resentful awareness of an advantage enjoyed by another joined with a desire to possess the same advantage
2
obsolete : malice
3
: an object of envious notice or feeling <his new car made him the envy of his friends>
See Examples of ENVY
- my envy of his success
- Their exotic vacations inspired envy in their friends.
- We watched with envy as the yacht slid past us.
Origin of ENVY
Middle English envie, from Anglo-French, from Latin invidia, from invidus envious, from invidēre to look askance at, envy, from in- + vidēre to see — more at wit
First Known Use: 13th century
Related to ENVY
- Synonyms
- covetousness, enviousness, green-eyed monster, invidiousness, jealousy, resentment
2envy
verben·vieden·vy·ing
Definition of ENVY
transitive verb
1
: to feel envy toward or on account of
2
obsolete : begrudge
intransitive verb
obsolete : to feel or show envy
— en·vy·ing·ly \-vē-iŋ-lē\ adverb
Examples of ENVY
- I envy you for your large group of friends.
- I envy the way you've made so many friends.
First Known Use of ENVY
14th century
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