greedy

adjective

ˈgrē-dē 

greedier; greediest

1

: marked by greed : having or showing a selfish desire for wealth and possessions

greedy creditors

2

: eager, keen

greedy for fame

3

: having a strong desire for food or drink

a predator greedy of its prey

greedily

ˈgrē-də-lē 

adverb

greediness

ˈgrē-dē-nəs 

noun

Synonyms

• grasping
• covetous
• avid
• acquisitive
• eager
• avaricious
• coveting
• desirous

Choose the Right Synonym for greedy

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 businesswoman who cheated her associates

avaricious implies obsessive acquisitiveness especially of money and strongly suggests stinginess.

an avaricious miser

Examples of greedy in a Sentence

He was a ruthless and greedy businessman.

There's no need to get greedy—there's plenty for everyone.

He blames all his problems on greedy lawyers.

Recent Examples on the Web

They weren’t built by the government, but rather by those evil greedy private corporations and individuals who are guilty of the heinous crime of providing millions of Americans with places to live. —The Editors, National Review, 30 June 2025

The backdrop of the Marcos dictatorship shaped her artistic approach, defined by an interest in quotidian experience—including everyday injustices such as gender inequality and the ecological exploitation of the Philippines by greedy conglomerates. —Hung Duong, Artforum, 18 June 2025

But Mauricio then caught himself, not wanting to sound too greedy. —Jeff Gluck, New York Times, 15 June 2025

People often stereotype crypto investors as reckless, young, or greedy. —Jennifer Jolly, USA Today, 18 June 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English gredy, from Old English grǣdig; akin to Old High German grātac greedy

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Rhymes for greedy

• beady
• guidi
• needy
• reedy
• seedy
• speedy
• tweedy
• weedy
• unready

Kids Definition

greedy

adjective

ˈgrēd-ē 

greedier; greediest

1

: having a keen appetite

2

: having an eager and often selfish desire or longing

greedy for praise

3

: wanting more than one needs or more than one's fair share (as of food)

greedily

ˈgrēd-ᵊl-ē 

adverb

greediness

ˈgrēd-ē-nəs 

noun