Synonyms

covet

American

[kuhv-it] / ˈkʌv ɪt /

verb (used with object)

to desire wrongfully, inordinately, or without due regard for the rights of others.

to covet another's property.

Antonyms:

renounce
to wish for, especially eagerly.

He won the prize they all coveted.

verb (used without object)

to have an inordinate or wrongful desire.

covet British

/ ˈkʌvɪt /

verb

to wish, long, or crave for (something, esp the property of another person)

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Related Words

See envy.

Other Word Forms

covetable adjective
coveter noun
covetingly adverb
uncoveting adjective

Etymology

Origin of covet

First recorded in 1325–1350; Middle English coveiten, from Anglo-French coveiter, Old French coveit(i)er, from unattested Vulgar Latin cupiditāre, verbal derivative of Latin cupiditās cupidity

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The coveted metal is used also in electric-vehicle batteries and data centres for artificial intelligence.

From Barron's

Scientists have expressed ethical concerns about the sale of meteorites, which are often coveted for research purposes and hold important clues about the make-up of the early solar system.

From Barron's

The awards are coveted by skiers, which helps explain why Vonn was racing one week ahead of the Olympics.

From The Wall Street Journal

Bright asked irritably, studying the studs on the soles of the coveted shoes.

From Literature

Once the regular season ends, officials who have excelled are rewarded with coveted games in the playoffs.

From Barron's

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023