noun
Common
jealousy
JEHL-uh-see
Jealousy (noun) means a feeling of resentment or insecurity caused by fear of losing someone's affection or by envy of another's advantage. Example: “Jealousy crept in when he saw them laughing together.”
noun
1
A feeling of resentment or insecurity caused by fear of losing someone's affection or by envy of another's advantage.
"Jealousy crept in when he saw them laughing together."
"Their rivalry was driven by old jealousy over the family business."
"She felt a pang of jealousy when her friend got the part in the play."
How to use jealousy
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe emotion of being jealous.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
fit of jealousy
consumed by jealousy
sibling jealousy
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Word forms
- Plural
- jealousies
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_____ crept in when he saw them laughing together.
Etymology
From Old French "jalousie," built from "jealous" plus the noun-forming suffix "-y."
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for jealousy
See all rhymes for jealousy →Frequently asked questions
What does “jealousy” mean?
The word “jealousy” means a feeling of resentment or insecurity caused by fear of losing someone's affection or by envy of another's advantage. In plain terms, the emotion of being jealous.
How do you pronounce “jealousy”?
“Jealousy” is pronounced JEHL-uh-see (/ˈd͡ʒɛl.ə.si/ in IPA).
How do you use “jealousy” in a sentence?
Here is “jealousy” used in a sentence: “Jealousy crept in when he saw them laughing together.”
What is another word for “jealousy”?
Words with a similar meaning to “jealousy” include jealousness.
What is the opposite of “jealousy”?
The opposite of “jealousy” — its antonyms — is compersion.
What part of speech is “jealousy”?
“Jealousy” is a noun.
Where does the word “jealousy” come from?
The word “jealousy” comes from Old French. From Old French "jalousie," built from "jealous" plus the noun-forming suffix "-y.".
Is “jealousy” a common word?
“Jealousy” is a fairly common word in modern English.
What is the difference between jealousy and envy?
Jealousy typically involves fear of losing something you already have, such as someone's affection, to a rival. Envy, by contrast, is wanting something someone else has that you do not possess yourself, such as their success or possessions.
What usually causes jealousy in relationships?
Jealousy in relationships is often caused by fear of losing a partner's affection to someone else, or by insecurity about the relationship's stability. It is a feeling of resentment or insecurity tied to a perceived threat from another person.
Is jealousy always a negative emotion?
Jealousy is generally described as a feeling of resentment or insecurity, which is unpleasant, but many psychologists view mild jealousy as a natural response to a perceived threat rather than something inherently harmful. Problems tend to arise when it becomes intense or controlling.
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