slightly envious

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "slightly envious" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express a mild feeling of jealousy or desire for something that someone else has. Example: "I felt slightly envious when I saw my friend’s new car, but I was happy for her."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

I feel slightly envious.

The Guardian

Am I just slightly envious?

The New York Times

I think she feels slightly envious of the attention you lavish on your girlfriend.

The New Yorker

I always felt slightly envious because most people have a firm history here.

The Guardian

"I was always slightly envious of those trannies who dressed more flamboyantly and didn't give a shit".

The Guardian - Arts

Gorge Fab, 22, recently cut off his trademark curly hair - allegedly under advisement from his slightly envious fellow bandmates.

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

41 human-written examples

It makes people feel envious and slightly lonely that they too don't have a twin.

Huffington Post

Joan must be envious of Peggy for slightly darker reasons too.

The Guardian

When he talks about becoming more aware of transgender individuals, he turns self-reflective, and then slightly envious he wishes that he could figure out, once and for all, his own identity, as he imagines these folks have figured out theirs.

The New Yorker

Or envious?

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I was slightly tense, waiting to find out when I was going to be sent over, and I sensed he was perhaps a little envious.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about characters or situations where someone might feel a bit of longing or jealousy but not to a strong degree, "slightly envious" will work great.

Common error

While "slightly envious" is acceptable, avoid overusing it in formal or professional writing. In such contexts, consider more nuanced phrases like "somewhat admiring" or "appreciative of" to convey a similar sentiment with greater subtlety and sophistication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "slightly envious" functions as an adjectival phrase, where the adverb "slightly" modifies the adjective "envious". It describes a state of feeling a mild degree of envy. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Wiki

6%

Science

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "slightly envious" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase to express a mild degree of envy. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's correct for general use and particularly prevalent in News & Media contexts. When aiming for more formal or professional tones, consider alternatives like "somewhat admiring". Avoid overusing "slightly envious" in overly formal contexts. Use "slightly envious" to show a small amount of envy without sounding too negative.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a bit jealous

Replaces "envious" with "jealous" and "slightly" with "a bit", indicating a similar level of mild resentment.

somewhat envious

Substitutes "slightly" with "somewhat", maintaining the same meaning of a moderate degree of envy.

a little envious

Uses "a little" in place of "slightly", suggesting a minimal level of envy.

mildly jealous

Replaces "envious" with "jealous" and "slightly" with "mildly", indicating a gentle feeling of envy.

a touch of envy

Employs a more figurative expression to convey a small amount of envy.

somewhat covetous

Replaces "envious" with "covetous" and "slightly" with "somewhat", suggesting a desire for something another possesses.

a tinge of jealousy

Uses "a tinge" to denote a slight feeling of jealousy, a close synonym for envy.

partly envious

Emphasizes that the feeling of envy is only partial or not overwhelming.

marginally envious

Indicates that the envy is present only to a small extent.

not entirely without envy

A more formal expression implying a restrained feeling of envy.

FAQs

How can I use "slightly envious" in a sentence?

You can use "slightly envious" to describe a mild feeling of envy or longing. For example, "I was "slightly envious" of my friend's vacation photos."

What can I say instead of "slightly envious"?

Alternatives to "slightly envious" include "a bit jealous", "somewhat envious", or "a little envious", depending on the specific context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "slightly envious"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. "Slightly" is an adverb modifying the adjective "envious", indicating the degree of envy.

What is the difference between "slightly envious" and "envious"?

"Envious" implies a strong feeling of jealousy or longing, while "slightly envious" suggests a milder, less intense emotion.