cupidity

American  

[kyoo-pid-i-tee] / kyuˈpɪd ɪ ti /

noun

1. eager or excessive desire, especially to possess something; greed; avarice.

   Synonyms:

   hunger, avidity, covetousness

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cupidity British  

/ kjuːˈpɪdɪtɪ /

noun

1. strong desire, esp for possessions or money; greed

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Other Word Forms

• cupidinous adjective

Etymology

Origin of cupidity

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English cupidite, (from Middle French or directly from Latin cupiditās, equivalent to cupid(us) “eager, desirous” ( cup(ere) “to desire” + -idus -id ⁴ ) + -itās -ity

Example Sentences

The dribbling of classic works into the public domain every year on Jan. 1 may be gratifying, but it also serves to underscore the stupidity and cupidity of our convoluted copyright system.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 30, 2022

Their cupidity quickly becomes an existential threat to all of the people and things that define the city, condemning them to a subterranean life at the bottom of the void.

From The Verge • Sep. 1, 2018

Preaching morality while practicing cupidity can be tricky, but various American governments have done it for years regarding smoking.

From Washington Post • Dec. 27, 2017

On its heels The wolf appeared, whose name is Avarice, Made thin by a cupidity that steals Insatiably out of its own increase, Obtained from many people it made poor.

From Slate • Apr. 5, 2013

The coins in his hand, he stared at her, helpless before his own cupidity.

From "Tiger, Tiger" by Lynne Reid Banks