greedy

1 of 2

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

You know how greedy they are, they're bound to eat them.

—J. K. Rowling

greedily

ˈgrē-də-lē 

adverb

greediness

ˈgrē-dē-nəs 

noun

greediness

2 of 2

noun

greed·​i·​ness -dēnə̇s 

-din-

plural -es

: the quality or state of being greedy:

a

: extreme or excessive desire for food or drink

also : behavior giving evidence of this : voracity

b

: extreme or excessive desire for wealth or gain : covetousness

c

: strong desire or longing : eagerness

moved by a greediness for a more exciting existence

Synonyms of greedy

Adjective

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

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

Adjective

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

Adjective

In Nolan’s telling, his deceit and plundering portend the collapse of the Bronze Age—a foreboding warning about greedy, fading empires that feels a little too relevant. — Natasha O'Neill, Vanity Fair, 16 July 2026

Several of my prior assumptions were upended right from the start of the piece—including the idea that the reclining wars are all just the greedy airlines’ fault. — Ian Crouch, New Yorker, 15 July 2026

Willem Dafoe costars as a former vampire nicknamed Elvis who leads a resistance against the greedy, capitalist vampire upper class — a good indication of the film’s campy tone. — Britt Hayes, Entertainment Weekly, 13 July 2026

Both measures are sensible safeguards against greedy lawmakers and powerful special interests like SEIU United Healthcare Workers West, the union pushing the billionaire tax. — Matt Fleming, Oc Register, 13 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

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

Noun

Middle English gredinesse, from Old English grǣdignæsse, from grǣdig + -næsse, -ness -ness

First Known Use

Adjective

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