adjective
Related Words
See avaricious.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of covetous
First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English coveitous, from Anglo-French, Old French; see covet, -ous
Explanation
To be covetous of something is to want it and to be a little jealous of anyone who has it. The advertising industry’s goal is to make you covetous of the things that other people have — that way, you'll buy them. If you feel the desire to own an object, specifically something that your friend owns, you are covetous of it. You might be covetous of her new high-speed digital camera. There is a commandment in Christianity about not feeling covetous toward your neighbor’s spouse: this could apply to a situation when you might find yourself attracted to your friend’s girlfriend, boyfriend, husband, or wife. Best to smother those feelings, if you want to keep that friendship.
Vocabulary lists containing covetous
A Christmas Carol
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Julius Caesar
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Never Enough: Synonyms for "Greedy"
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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.
It may, at least, offer the FA some protection from covetous advances being made in Tuchel's direction from elite clubs, something which cannot be discounted should England's World Cup be a success.
From BBC • Feb. 12, 2026
His covetous comments about Greenland, an autonomous Danish territory, deepened concerns.
From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 28, 2025
It’s gotten to the point where people in that world are covetous of an invitation from Michael Yon.
From Slate • May 11, 2024
“I’ve asked Ted Sarandos why he’s so covetous of awards: ‘You guys are really, really spending,’” says O’Neil.
From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 16, 2023
As Ignatius was considering the delight which the little baseball game afforded humanity, the two sad and covetous eyes moved toward him through the crowd like torpedoes zeroing in on a great woolly tanker.
From "A Confederacy of Dunces" by John Kennedy Toole
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
