covetously

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "covetously" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe a strong desire for something that belongs to someone else. Example: "He looked at his neighbor's new car covetously, wishing it were his." Alternatives include "greedily" or "enviously."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

40 human-written examples

I'm sitting there watching Lost, when suddenly, the ghost of Koba the Dread is looking covetously at my popcorn.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

That figure shot up to 40% overnight, and with Ryanair circling covetously above will only rise further.But there are few positive signs for Eastern Europe's older airlines.

The Economist

Politicians are therefore looking covetously at Mr Obama's extensive network.

The Economist

Like threadbare housewives dreaming of American nylons after the war, MPs and others have gazed covetously at the televised primaries, with their drama, diverse candidates and balloons.

The Economist

That figure shot up to 40% overnight, and with Ryanair circling covetously above will only rise further.

The Economist

As city-dwellers' mobile needs are satisfied, carriers will no doubt start covetously eyeing the relatively untapped rural market, where they have often feared to tread because of the costs of servicing customers in remote locations across a vast country.

The Economist

So, noting that schools employ around 30% of the staff in line for compensation, councils are eyeing schools' reserves covetously.

The Economist

I even covetously wrote my name in some of them, making the point clear, at least to myself.

The New Yorker

Hi's plant foreman comes for a visit, bringing his wife (who's Ed's best friend) and their gang of children; ignoring their own kids, who attack everything in sight, the couple coo over the baby covetously, and plan to steal him.

The New Yorker

In the corridors, Henry V covetously fondles the crown of his not quite dead father, and Richard III approaches Henry VI, preparing to strangle him.

The New Yorker

When Campbell stepped back for a moment of respite, he covetously eyed a glass in the hand of Roxy Paine, who was standing nearby.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "covetously" to precisely convey a sense of longing mixed with envy for something that belongs to another. It adds a nuanced layer of meaning compared to simpler alternatives like "greedily".

Common error

Avoid using "covetously" when simply expressing a general desire. It implies a specific type of desire directed towards something someone else possesses, not just a personal wish.

Linguistic Context

The adverb "covetously" modifies verbs, describing the manner in which an action is performed. It indicates that the action is done with a strong desire to possess something belonging to someone else. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

8%

Science

7%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The adverb "covetously" describes an action performed with envy and longing for something belonging to another. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and frequently appears in News & Media. While similar to "enviously" or "greedily", "covetously" specifies the desire for another's possessions. When using "covetously", ensure you're conveying the nuanced meaning of desiring something specific that belongs to someone else, avoiding its misuse for general desires.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

enviously

Emphasizes resentment and jealousy when desiring something.

greedily

Focuses on an excessive and selfish desire.

jealously

Highlights possessiveness and protectiveness over what one desires.

avariciously

Stresses an extreme greed for wealth or material gain.

with envy

A prepositional phrase expressing a feeling of discontented longing.

with longing

Emphasizes a deep yearning or desire.

desiringly

Expresses a strong wish or craving.

acquisitively

Highlights the desire to acquire or possess something.

with a grasping desire

Indicates a forceful or eager wanting of something.

with a jealous eye

Suggests a watchful and resentful desire.

FAQs

How to use "covetously" in a sentence?

Use "covetously" to describe how someone looks at or desires something that belongs to another person. For example: "He looked "covetously" at his neighbor's new car."

What can I say instead of "covetously"?

You can use alternatives like "enviously", "greedily", or "jealously" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "covetously" or "enviously"?

Both ""covetously"" and "enviously" are correct, but they have slightly different meanings. "Covetously" implies a strong desire for something that belongs to someone else, while "enviously" emphasizes the resentment and jealousy associated with that desire.

What's the difference between "covetously" and "greedily"?

"Covetously" suggests wanting something that someone else possesses, whereas "greedily" describes a general, excessive desire, not necessarily focused on another's possessions.