slightly jealous

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "slightly jealous" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express a mild feeling of envy towards someone or something. Example: "When I saw her new car, I felt slightly jealous of her good fortune."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

33 human-written examples

We were all slightly jealous.

The New York Times

I'm only slightly jealous of his success.

The Guardian

8) We are slightly jealous of their electoral system.

The Guardian - Opinion

I had been slightly jealous; now it was my turn.

The New York Times - Travel

I think he was slightly jealous of her speaking to other men but that was just my opinion".

Independent

My friends were even slightly jealous -- their kids would no sooner eat a carrot than turkey and all the fixings.

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

This might make the person slightly jealous, turning them into putty in your hands.

WikiHow

He's equal parts proud and ever-so-slightly jealous when another man hits on you.

Huffington Post

Meng Ningning, as the jealous second wife, has slightly more footwork, and makes the most of it.

Independent

Your best bet of making him jealous or slightly frustrated online for that "chase" is by making yourself known to him that you're online, but you'd rather not RT your inside joke or poke him back.

WikiHow

Even among Democrats, Hogan has slightly higher favorability ratings than Jealous — 59percentto52percentcent.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "slightly jealous" to express a mild feeling of envy without implying strong negativity or resentment. It's appropriate when acknowledging someone else's success or possessions without excessive bitterness.

Common error

Avoid using "slightly jealous" in highly formal or professional writing. Opt for more neutral or sophisticated alternatives like "a touch envious" or "somewhat admiring" to maintain a polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "slightly jealous" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a subject to indicate a state of mild envy. Ludwig examples show the phrase describing feelings towards someone's possessions, achievements, or opportunities.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Wiki

13%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Science

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "slightly jealous" is a common and acceptable way to express a mild feeling of envy or resentment. As noted by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and usable in various contexts. While primarily found in News & Media and Wiki sources, its use should be carefully considered in more formal settings. When writing, remember to maintain a tone of mild envy, acknowledging the positive aspects of what someone else has or has achieved. If a more formal register is required, consider alternatives such as "a touch envious" or "somewhat admiring". The numerous examples provided by Ludwig illustrate the variety of situations where this phrase can be appropriately employed, from admiring someone's success to lightheartedly acknowledging a desired object or experience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

mildly envious

Synonymous, replacing "slightly" with "mildly".

ever so slightly jealous

Emphasizes the slightness of the jealousy with added emphasis.

a little envious

Emphasizes the envy aspect more directly than "slightly jealous".

somewhat envious

A more formal alternative using "envious" instead of "jealous".

kind of jealous

More informal, using "kind of" to express a similar sentiment.

a touch of envy

More literary and subtle, highlighting the feeling of envy.

a bit resentful

Focuses on the feeling of resentment that can accompany jealousy.

just a tad jealous

Informal, using "tad" to indicate a small amount of jealousy.

partially envious

A more formal, less common alternative to "slightly jealous".

not entirely pleased

Uses understatement to convey a feeling of mild discontent related to jealousy.

FAQs

What does "slightly jealous" mean?

The phrase "slightly jealous" means experiencing a mild feeling of envy or resentment towards someone because of their achievements, possessions, or qualities. It suggests a lesser intensity than full-blown jealousy.

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

You can use "slightly jealous" to express a feeling of mild envy, for example: "I was "a little envious" when I heard about her promotion." or "I felt "somewhat envious" of their vacation plans."

What are some synonyms for "slightly jealous"?

Some synonyms for "slightly jealous" include "a little envious", "somewhat envious", "mildly envious", or "a bit resentful". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to say "I'm slightly jealous" in professional settings?

While generally acceptable, consider the context. In formal settings, phrases like "I admire your success" or "I'm "somewhat envious" of your accomplishments" might be more suitable. Assess the audience and the desired level of formality.