avaricious

USAGE SUMMARY

"avaricious" is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it to describe someone who is excessively greedy or covetous of wealth, money, or possessions. For example: "John was an avaricious man, unable to resist the temptation of making another purchase even when he had more than enough money."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Perhaps it is time for them to stop being so acquisitive and avaricious, not just for their bank balances, but for the good of the game.

The Guardian - Sport

An avaricious, vacuous Africa, in love with TV soap operas and fridges.

The Guardian - Film

The indignant felling, however, of the SDLP should act as a final warn ing those in the Irish Labour Party under the illusion that by playing footsie with Sinn Fein they can somehow tame this avaricious and single-minded movement.

The Guardian

Her point was that the huge debts Ireland already has run up (in part caused by the disgraceful, avaricious behaviour of the banks, including two that operate in Northern Ireland) are not sustainable.

The Guardian

English football has never seemed so avaricious as when the proposal was made public, to a cacophony of hoots and jeers.

The Guardian - Sport

The Ashes stands alone as the sole regular five-Test series, but neither set of matches provided a compelling reason to contest the cannibalisation of the Future Tours Programme by avaricious national boards.

The Guardian - Sport

Avaricious savers known as "rate tarts" shifted their money into such accounts with the help of comparison websites.Landsbanki's products were not covered by the domestic deposit-insurance schemes of the target countries.

The Economist

THEY were the Macbeths of information technology (IT): a wicked couple who seized power and abused it in bloody and avaricious ways.

The Economist

The narrator in "Artemio Cruz" imagines in a baroque churchthe façade of the Conquest, severe yet jocund, with one foot in the dead Old World and the other in the New, which did not begin here but on the other side of the ocean: the New World arrived when they arrived; façade of austere walls to protect their avaricious, sensual, happy hearts.

The Economist

Buy from Amazon.co.ukMYSTERIOUS, suspicious, avaricious, cold, the figure of Henry VII has long been skipped over or ignored.

The Economist

Riots have become common, fuelled by the attempts of avaricious governments to raise money by selling farmers' land.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "avaricious", consider the intensity of the greed you wish to convey. It implies an excessive and insatiable desire for wealth, so ensure it aligns with the character or situation you're describing.

Common error

Avoid using "avaricious" to describe someone who is simply ambitious. Ambition involves a desire for success and achievement, while "avaricious" specifically denotes an insatiable greed for wealth, which may involve unethical actions.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "avaricious" is as an adjective. It modifies nouns to describe someone or something characterized by extreme greed for wealth or material gain. Ludwig's AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Encyclopedias

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The word "avaricious" functions as an adjective denoting extreme greed or an insatiable desire for wealth. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage, and it is most frequently found in news and media, encyclopedia, and formal business contexts. While the word itself is grammatically sound, it is critical to consider its negative implications and ensure accurate use to avoid conflating it with mere ambition. The frequency of its use is categorized as "very common" according to Ludwig.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

excessively greedy

This alternative directly emphasizes the excessive nature of greed, which is a core component of "avaricious".

inordinately covetous

While "avaricious" emphasizes greed, "inordinately covetous" highlights the intense desire for what others possess.

grasping for wealth

This phrase focuses on the active pursuit of wealth, suggesting an eagerness to acquire more.

materialistic

This term broadens the scope to a general obsession with material possessions, not just wealth.

money-grubbing

This phrase carries a negative connotation, implying a ruthless pursuit of money.

acquisitive

"Acquisitive" emphasizes the desire to acquire things, which is a component of "avaricious".

penurious

This term means excessively unwilling to spend money; stingy; parsimonious, the opposite of giving

rapacious

While "avaricious" focuses on greed, "rapacious" suggests a predatory nature in acquiring wealth.

extremely greedy

This phrase directly states the high degree of greed, similar to "avaricious" but less formal.

insatiably desirous

This alternative emphasizes the unquenchable nature of the desire, a key element of "avaricious" behavior.

FAQs

How can I use "avaricious" in a sentence?

Use "avaricious" to describe someone who displays extreme greed or an insatiable desire for wealth. For example: "The "avaricious" businessman exploited his workers to amass a fortune."

What words can I use instead of "avaricious"?

Alternatives include "excessively greedy", "covetous", or "acquisitive", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to describe a company as "avaricious"?

Yes, it is appropriate to describe a company as "avaricious" if it relentlessly pursues profits at the expense of ethical considerations or the well-being of its stakeholders.

What's the difference between "avaricious" and "frugal"?

"Avaricious" describes excessive greed and a strong desire for wealth, while frugal refers to being economical and avoiding waste. Frugality is about careful spending, not necessarily an insatiable desire for more wealth.