covetous

USAGE SUMMARY

The word “covetous” is a correct word in written English.
It is an adjective which means “having or showing an excessive or selfish desire for something.” You can use it when describing a person's or character's attitude or behavior towards something or someone else. For example: "The covetous king would never share his riches with anyone."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Hunters describe Chekhovian family rows pitting young against old, insiders against newly arrived in-laws over who got to shoot whin-laws overe mournfully reporting that at the end, "The ladies all hollered at me".The DNR's Kevin wholenfangotitoshootther factor: the TV-driven mania for giant antlers, which has raisedeerpectatione and mournfullyreportingus.

The Economist

The Latino population in Texas is growing so quickly that Democrats have begun to cast a covetous eye on the state in anticipation of the day when they will have a shot at its 38 votes.Some obstacles stand in the way.

The Economist

HUGO CHÁVEZ, Venezuela's left-wing president, has long cast a covetous eye at the foreign-currency reserves of the Banco Central de Venezuela (BCV), the country's central bank.

The Economist

Parts of Brazil's government still fret that covetous foreign powers may try to annexe the Amazon forest unless the country can find something useful to do with it.President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva's government has often seemed to sympathise more with these voters than with environmentalists, who are anyway politically weak in Brazil.

The Economist

That abundance has long been the target of covetous eyes from drier Americans to the south.

The Economist

They are independent in spirit, seeing rule from faraway London as preferable to that from the closer but more covetous Scottish Parliament.They will use the referendum to strengthen their autonomyOver the years the islands have become adept at extracting concessions from their distant overlords.

The Economist

An irascible workaholic Scot, one of the architects of New Labour, faces a patrician Tory with unmistakably pukka vowels a suave upstart who seems set to wrench away the premiership that Mr Brown waited ten covetous years to inherit from Tony Blair.For some, however, there is something wrong with this picture of political combat.

The Economist

It works less well when America is in Turkey's back yard, shaking up countries nearby and casting covetous eyes on the Black Sea.

The Economist

Reviving the cabinet careers of former big-hitters such as David Blunkett and John Reid could create a helpful contrast with the callow Tories, but few seem keen to board a sinking ship.Even if Mr Brown survives June 4th and the subsequent reshuffle, the coming weeks will be agonising for a man so covetous of stillness and certainty.

The Economist

It is said to be the object of covetous eyes at Disney.The laboratory's officials like to point out that its work on safety has many possible uses.

The Economist

Hence the covetous sighs that greeted the new Ferrari 458 Spider (pictured), which was unveiled on September 13th.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a general desire, consider using alternative terms like "eager", "desirous", or "longing" depending on the specific nuance you intend to convey. These alternatives lack the negative judgement often associated with "covetous".

Common error

Avoid using "covetous" to describe mild or innocent desires. It's a strong word that implies a deep-seated, often unethical, yearning. Reserve it for situations where the desire is excessive and morally questionable.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "covetous" primarily functions to describe a character's or person's inherent desire for something that belongs to another. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

59%

Encyclopedias

15%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Science

6%

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "covetous" is an adjective used to describe a strong and often inappropriate desire for something that belongs to someone else. Ludwig AI confirms it's grammatically correct and the numerous examples highlight its common usage across various sources. While synonyms like "envious" or "greedy" exist, "covetous" often carries a stronger negative connotation. It's important to use it judiciously, reserving it for situations where the desire is excessive and morally questionable. Remember not to use it to describe simple desires.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

greedy

A more general term for wanting more than one's fair share.

envious

Focuses more on the feeling of resentment towards another's possessions or qualities.

jealous

Implies a fear of losing something one already has, or desires exclusively.

avaricious

Specifically emphasizes greed for wealth or material gain.

grasping

Highlights the act of aggressively trying to obtain something.

acquisitive

Describes a strong desire to acquire and possess things, often material goods.

rapacious

Suggests an aggressive and predatory greed.

materialistic

Places emphasis on the importance of possessions and wealth.

desirous

A more formal way of expressing a strong want or craving.

longing

Implies a deep, often wistful, desire for something.

FAQs

How can I use "covetous" in a sentence?

You can use "covetous" to describe someone who excessively desires what others have, such as "The "covetous neighbor" always admired his new car".

What are some synonyms for "covetous"?

Synonyms for "covetous" include "greedy", "envious", and "avaricious", each carrying slightly different nuances of excessive desire.

Is "covetous" a positive or negative word?

"Covetous" generally carries a negative connotation, implying a morally questionable or excessive desire for something that belongs to someone else.

What's the difference between "covetous" and "jealous"?

"Covetous" describes wanting what someone else has, while "jealous" implies a fear of losing something you already possess.