envy
EHN-vee
Envy (noun) means a feeling of resentful longing for something someone else has. Example: “She felt a pang of envy when she saw her friend's new house.”
noun
1
A feeling of resentful longing for something someone else has.
"She felt a pang of envy when she saw her friend's new house."
"Green with envy, he watched the other team lift the trophy."
"His success stirred up envy among his coworkers."
verb
1
To feel resentful desire for what someone else has.
"I really envy people who can speak three languages fluently."
"I envy your ability to fall asleep the moment your head hits the pillow."
"She envied her colleague's effortless promotion."
How to use envy
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishWanting what someone else has, often with a touch of resentment.
Common mistake
Envy is wanting what belongs to someone else; jealousy is fear of losing what already belongs to you.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
green with envy
envy of
the envy of
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like envy.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- envies
- Third person singular
- envies
- Past tense
- envied
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She felt a pang of _____ when she saw her friend's new house.
Etymology
From Old French envie, from Latin invidia, itself from invidere, "to look at with ill will" (in-, "upon" + videre, "to see").
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “envy” mean?
The word “envy” means a feeling of resentful longing for something someone else has. In plain terms, wanting what someone else has, often with a touch of resentment.
How do you pronounce “envy”?
“Envy” is pronounced EHN-vee (/ˈɛnvi/ in IPA).
How do you use “envy” in a sentence?
Here is “envy” used in a sentence: “His success stirred up envy among his coworkers.”
What is the opposite of “envy”?
The opposite of “envy” — its antonyms — is kindness.
What part of speech is “envy”?
Depending on how it is used, “envy” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “envy” come from?
The word “envy” comes from Latin. From Old French envie, from Latin invidia, itself from invidere, "to look at with ill will" (in-, "upon" + videre, "to see").
Is “envy” a common word?
“Envy” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “envy” have?
“Envy” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a feeling of resentful longing for something someone else has.
What is the difference between envy and jealousy?
Envy is a feeling of resentful longing for something someone else has, such as their possessions, qualities, or success. Jealousy typically involves the fear of losing something you already have to a rival. Although the two words are often used interchangeably in casual speech, envy is about wanting what another person has, while jealousy is about protecting what is already yours.
Is envy always considered a negative emotion?
Envy is generally viewed negatively because it centers on resentment toward someone else's advantage or possessions. Some people distinguish a milder form that can motivate self-improvement from a more bitter kind that involves wishing to see the other person lose what they have.
Can envy be used as a verb as well as a noun?
Yes, envy functions as both a noun and a verb. As a verb it means to feel resentful desire for what someone else has, as in "I envy your patience," while the noun form names the feeling itself, as in "a look of envy."
