covet

[kuhv-it]

verb (used with object)

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

   to covet another's property.

   Antonyms: renounce

2. to wish for, especially eagerly.

   He won the prize they all coveted.

verb (used without object)

1. to have an inordinate or wrongful desire.

covet

/ ˈkʌvɪt /

verb

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

Other Word Forms

• covetable adjective
• coveter noun
• covetingly adverb
• uncoveting adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of covet¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of covet¹

C13: from Old French coveitier, from coveitié eager desire, ultimately from Latin cupiditā _cupidity

Synonym Study

See envy.

Example Sentences

As the price of rights to coveted sporting events skyrockets, the broadcasters have America’s most-loved tournament locked up for seven more years in exchange for relatively fixed annual payments.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

Guerrero took himself off of the market a season before he would have been the most coveted free agent available.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

The AI minds that companies truly covet are almost as rare as professional athletes.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

“These things are coveted. There are very few around and a lot are in difficult jurisdictions,” said Duncan Hay, an analyst at broker Panmure Liberum.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

Her emotive alto would soon carry well beyond Brazil’s borders; the band landed a coveted gig for NPR’s Tiny Desk series in 2018.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• crave 
• envy 
• lust after www.thesaurus.com