noun
Uncommon
greed
greed
Greed (noun) means an excessive desire for more than one needs, especially money, food, or possessions. Example: “His greed for profit led him to cut corners on safety.”
noun
1
An excessive desire for more than one needs, especially money, food, or possessions.
"His greed was his undoing."
"Your market gardener is not a well-breeched man, dependant as he is on the imponderables of glut, the inequities of distribution, and the greeds of wholesaler and retailer."
— Thomas Firbank, Log Hut (1954)
"His greed for profit led him to cut corners on safety."
"Pure greed drove the company to overwork its staff."
"Greed made him take three plates of cake when others had none."
How to use greed
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishWanting far more than you actually need, especially of money or food, in a selfish way.
Common pairings
human greed
greed for power
out of greed
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Word forms
- Plural
- greeds
- Third person singular
- greeds
- Past tense
- greeded
Fill the gap
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His _____ for profit led him to cut corners on safety.
Etymology
A back-formation from the older adjective greedy, first recorded around 1600.
Class of 1600
greed joined the language around 1600.
See the full Class of 1600 →
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for greed
See all rhymes for greed →Frequently asked questions
What does “greed” mean?
The word “greed” means an excessive desire for more than one needs, especially money, food, or possessions. In plain terms, wanting far more than you actually need, especially of money or food, in a selfish way.
How do you pronounce “greed”?
“Greed” is pronounced greed (/ɡɹiːd/ in IPA).
How do you use “greed” in a sentence?
Here is “greed” used in a sentence: “His greed for profit led him to cut corners on safety.”
What is the opposite of “greed”?
The opposite of “greed” — its antonyms — is charity.
What part of speech is “greed”?
“Greed” is a noun.
Where does the word “greed” come from?
The word “greed” dates back to around 1600. A back-formation from the older adjective greedy, first recorded around 1600.
Is “greed” a common word?
“Greed” is an uncommon word in modern English.
What is the difference between "greed" and "ambition"?
"Ambition" is a strong desire to achieve success or a specific goal and is often viewed neutrally or positively, while "greed" is an excessive desire for more than one needs, especially money or possessions, and carries a negative connotation. Ambition drives achievement, whereas greed implies taking more than is fair or necessary.
Is "greed" always considered a negative trait?
Yes, "greed" is almost always used negatively, describing an excessive and often selfish desire for money, food, or possessions beyond what one genuinely needs. It is commonly listed among traditional vices in ethical and religious discussions.
What is the difference between "greed" and "envy"?
"Greed" is the excessive desire to acquire more for oneself, especially money or possessions, while "envy" is resentment or longing directed at what someone else already has. Greed focuses on accumulation, while envy focuses on comparison to others.
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