envious

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "envious" is correct and usable in written English.
It is usually used to describe when someone feels jealous of another person's possessions or abilities. Example: She was envious of her friend's new car.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

As far as many on the right are concerned, it really doesn't – and if it does, you must be one of those envious losers who hate success.

The Guardian - Opinion

But the one area that I am continuously envious of is the male ability to pee while standing.

The Guardian

But after the commentators had regularly repeated that his envious eyes were trained on the seat at the centre of the cabinet table, life would begin to change.

The Guardian - Opinion

It's like saying who has never got angry or envious or jealous.

The Guardian - Music

They sit at the leatherette wheel of their 100-grand Mercs, temporarily emasculated by the 7in disc of red light, and are possessed by a wrenching, envious rage at the tatty bicycle soaring off into the distance.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The broad support for this event routinely gains envious glances from elsewhere in Europe and the United States.

The Guardian - Sport

Jethro Tull had been one of the first bands, along with the Beatles, to be officially released on the Russian state record label Melodiya back in the Gorbachev days, but the illegal bootlegs and smuggled-in rock records that circulated among the envious young men of eastern Europe and the USSR had already paved the way for us and our peers to venture out there sooner or later.

The Guardian - Music

They are envious of Silicon Valley's ecosystem of established names, serial entrepreneurs, marketing experts and specialist venture capitalists, who complement a first-rate ideas factory at nearby Stanford University.America's appetite for riskier ventures reflects past glories as much as native boldness.

The Economist

But for envious fellow etymologists it was the pinnacle of his career.In his hunt for the origin of OK he was offered dozens of theories.

The Economist

Your correspondent is envious and would give much to be able to do the same.

The Economist

To prevent people getting envious, some charities set up services for all locals.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "envious", be mindful of the negative connotations and consider whether a more neutral term like "admiring" might be more appropriate in some contexts.

Common error

While often used interchangeably, "envious" typically refers to wanting what someone else has, while "jealous" often involves a fear of losing something you already possess. Be precise in your word choice to accurately convey the intended emotion.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "envious" is as a descriptive adjective. It modifies nouns or pronouns to indicate a state of feeling or exhibiting envy. As noted by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

4%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "envious" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adjective that describes the feeling of wanting what someone else possesses. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It is most commonly found in News & Media and Formal & Business contexts, and while it can be used interchangeably with "jealous" in some cases, it is important to note the subtle differences in meaning. Remember to use "envious of" and not "envious about". Alternative phrases such as "jealous", "covetous", and "resentful" can also be used to express similar sentiments.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

jealous

Direct synonym, indicating resentment towards someone else's success or possessions.

covetous

Implies a strong desire to possess something that belongs to another.

resentful

Focuses on the feeling of bitterness caused by someone else's good fortune.

green with envy

Idiomatic expression emphasizing the intensity of the envy.

desirous

Highlights the wanting aspect, a strong desire for something others have.

longing

Emphasizes a deep yearning for what someone else has.

grudging

Suggests an unwillingness to accept someone else's good fortune.

begrudging

Similar to 'grudging', indicating a reluctant admiration mixed with envy.

bitter

Highlights the negative emotional impact of envy.

consumed by jealousy

Illustrates that jealousy is intense and can have negative effects on personal health.

FAQs

How to use "envious" in a sentence?

You can use "envious" to describe someone who desires what another person has. For example, "She was "envious" of her sister's success."

What can I say instead of "envious"?

You can use alternatives like "jealous", "covetous", or "resentful" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "envious of" or "envious about"?

"Envious" is typically followed by "of". For example, "He was "envious of" their wealth" is correct, while "envious about" is less common.

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

"Envious" describes wanting what someone else has, whereas "jealous" often involves fear of losing something you already have. While similar, jealousy includes a possessive aspect that envy lacks.