covetous

[kuhv-i-tuhs]

adjective

1. inordinately or wrongly desirous of wealth or possessions; greedy.

   Synonyms: rapacious, grasping

2. eagerly desirous.

covetous

/ ˈkʌvɪtəs /

adjective

1. jealously eager for the possession of something (esp the property of another person)

Other Word Forms

• covetously adverb
• covetousness noun
• noncovetous adjective
• noncovetously adverb
• overcovetous adjective
• overcovetously adverb
• uncovetous adjective
• uncovetously adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of covetous¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English coveitous, from Anglo-French, Old French; covet, -ous

Synonym Study

See avaricious.

Example Sentences

In their brief, intense interaction, Lockjaw develops a covetous one-sided relationship with his conqueror, as rooted in fetishistic lust as it is racism and control.

From Salon

For a very long time, other nations have been sizing up California with a covetous eye.

From Los Angeles Times

Consider Second Timothy, 3: 2: “For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy.”

From Salon

Hammons seems like the victor in his attempt to satirize not so much the transaction of art for dollars but the covetous, oblivious, entitled nature of certain transactors.

From New York Times

In yoga, I watched, covetous and profusely sweating, as people around me in class pointed their toes skyward and inverted.

From Salon