Covetous — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective /ˈkə-və-təs/ cov·et·ous

Meaning & Definition of Covetous

Covetous (adjective)

  1. marked by inordinate desire for wealth or possessions or for another's possessions
  2. having a craving for possession

Covetous (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. having or marked by an eager and often selfish desire especially for material possessions

    "one aggressive bargain hunter rushed to make a covetous grab for the last marked-down TV"

    similar: acquisitive, avaricious, avid, coveting, grabby, grasping, greedy, mercenary, moneygrubbing, rapacious
    related: commercialistic, materialistic, philistine, desirous, eager, itchy, lickerish, miserly, hoggish, piggish, piggy, swinish, devouring, gluttonous, gobbling, insatiable, ravenous, unquenchable, voracious, egocentric, egoistic, egotistic, self-centered, self-seeking, discontent, discontented, malcontent, unsatisfied, begrudging, grudging, resentful
    near: nonmaterialistic, altruistic, bounteous, bountiful, charitable, freehanded, generous, greathearted, handsome, liberal, magnanimous, munificent, openhanded, openhearted, selfless, unselfish, unsparing, controlled, moderate, restrained, temperate, content, sated, satisfied

  2. having or showing mean resentment of another's possessions or advantages

    "a covetous child who must destroy what he cannot have"

    similar: envious, green-eyed, invidious, jaundiced, jealous, resentful, eating one's heart out, green with envy
    related: begrudging, grudging, avaricious, grasping, greedy, rapacious, distrustful, suspicious, malicious, petty, spiteful
    opposite: unenvious
    near: generous, kind, kindhearted, altruistic, benevolent, charitable, well-meaning

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Covetous

The most common words with a similar meaning to Covetous:

acquisitive, avaricious, avid, coveting, grabby, grasping, greedy, mercenary, moneygrubbing, rapacious, envious, green-eyed, invidious, jaundiced, jealous, resentful, eating one's heart out, green with envy

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Covetous

Words with the opposite meaning of Covetous:

unenvious

Related Words for Covetous

commercialistic, materialistic, philistine, desirous, eager, itchy, lickerish, miserly, hoggish, piggish, piggy, swinish, devouring, gluttonous, gobbling, insatiable, ravenous, unquenchable, voracious, egocentric, egoistic, egotistic, self-centered, self-seeking, discontent, discontented, malcontent, unsatisfied, begrudging, grudging

Near Antonyms of Covetous

nonmaterialistic, altruistic, bounteous, bountiful, charitable, freehanded, generous, greathearted, handsome, liberal, magnanimous, munificent, openhanded, openhearted, selfless, unselfish, unsparing, controlled, moderate, restrained, temperate, content, sated, satisfied, kind, kindhearted, benevolent, well-meaning

Word Forms of Covetous

Derived words: covetously (adverb), covetousness (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Covetous

First known use: 13th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Covetous

Frequently Asked Questions about Covetous

What does "Covetous" mean?

"Covetous" means marked by inordinate desire for wealth or possessions or for another's possessions. As an adjective, it is defined as: marked by inordinate desire for wealth or possessions or for another's possessions. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Covetous"?

Other words for "Covetous" include acquisitive, avaricious, avid, coveting, grabby, grasping, greedy and mercenary. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Covetous" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Covetous"?

There are 53 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Covetous". Common alternatives include acquisitive, avaricious, avid, coveting, grabby, grasping, greedy, mercenary, moneygrubbing and rapacious.

What is the opposite of "Covetous"?

Antonyms of "Covetous" include unenvious. Near antonyms include nonmaterialistic, altruistic, bounteous and bountiful.

How do you use "Covetous" in a sentence?

Examples of "Covetous" in a sentence: "one aggressive bargain hunter rushed to make a covetous grab for the last marked-down TV"; "a covetous child who must destroy what he cannot have".

Is "Covetous" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Covetous" is an adjective.

Is "Covetous" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a C2-level word, "Covetous" is typical of Cambridge C2 Proficiency (CPE), IELTS band 8.5–9.0, TOEFL iBT 114–120, PTE Academic 85–90. Advanced words like this are also useful for the GRE, SAT, GMAT, and LSAT.

How do you pronounce "Covetous"?

"Covetous" is pronounced /ˈkə-və-təs/ and divided into syllables as cov·et·ous.