covet

verb

cov·​et ˈkə-vət How to pronounce covet (audio)
coveted; coveting; covets

transitive verb

1
: to wish for earnestly
covet an award
2
: to desire (what belongs to another) inordinately or culpably
The king's brother coveted the throne.

intransitive verb

: to feel inordinate desire for what belongs to another
covetable adjective
coveter noun
covetingly adverb
Choose the Right Synonym for covet

desire, wish, want, crave, covet mean to have a longing for.

desire stresses the strength of feeling and often implies strong intention or aim.

desires to start a new life

wish sometimes implies a general or transient longing especially for the unattainable.

wishes for permanent world peace

want specifically suggests a felt need or lack.

wants to have a family

crave stresses the force of physical appetite or emotional need.

craves sweets

covet implies strong envious desire.

covets his rise to fame

Examples of covet in a Sentence

The oldest of the students, she had become a confidante of Fern's and she alone was allowed to call her by her first name. It was not a privilege the others coveted. Edward P. Jones, The Known World, 2003
The only Commandment I'd breached, besides killing that bird with my air rifle, was that I had coveted Bobby Entrekin's electric train. It blew real smoke. Mine didn't. Lewis Grizzard, Reader's Digest, January 1992
He had discovered a great law of human action, without knowing it—namely, that in order to make a man or a boy covet a thing, it is only necessary to make the thing difficult to attain. Mark Twain, Tom Sawyer, 1876
His religion warns against coveting material goods. I've been coveting that sleek sports car in the showroom for some time now.
Recent Examples on the Web While all its shoes bring something different to the table, the company hasn’t typically been seen as a luxury brand—even though some kicks have been deeply coveted. Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 12 Mar. 2024 Having returned to the Disney fold as a strategic advisor to Iger last year, Mayer’s insights have become increasingly coveted amidst continuing speculation surrounding his old boss’s succession. Massimo Marioni, Fortune, 28 Feb. 2024 This gloss hydrates and gives lips that coveted full look. Hyphensocial Contributors, Rolling Stone, 21 Feb. 2024 Independent voters, coveted by political parties in election years, are increasingly split, too. Adam Taylor, Washington Post, 29 Feb. 2024 For years, Chinese companies and their contractors have been slaughtering millions of donkeys across Africa, coveting gelatin from the animals’ hides that is processed into traditional medicines, popular sweets and beauty products in China. Siyi Zhao, New York Times, 23 Feb. 2024 Chase covets that second title if for no other reason than to pass his father. John Cherwa, Los Angeles Times, 15 Feb. 2024 Indonesians fear that others covet their country’s vast resources and strategic location. Dewi Fortuna Anwar, Foreign Affairs, 12 Feb. 2024 The KitchenAid Stand Mixer is an inarguably iconic appliance, coveted by dedicated home cooks and found in many professional kitchens. Sharon Greenthal, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'covet.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English coveiten, from Anglo-French coveiter, from Vulgar Latin *cupidietare, from Latin cupiditat-, cupiditas desire, from cupidus desirous, from cupere to desire

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of covet was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near covet

Cite this Entry

“Covet.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/covet. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

covet

verb
cov·​et ˈkəv-ət How to pronounce covet (audio)
: to wish for greatly or with envy
covet another's success
covet a friend's possessions
coveter noun
covetingly adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on covet

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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