jealousy

[jel-uh-see]

noun

plural

jealousies 

1. jealous resentment against a rival, a person enjoying success or advantage, etc., or against another's success or advantage itself.

2. mental uneasiness from suspicion or fear of rivalry, unfaithfulness, etc., as in love or aims.

3. vigilance in maintaining or guarding something.

4. a jealous feeling, disposition, state, or mood.

jealousy

/ ˈdʒɛləsɪ /

noun

1. the state or quality of being jealous

Confusables Note

See envy.

Word History and Origins

Origin of jealousy¹

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English gelusie, gelosie, from Old French gelosie, jalousie, equivalent to gelos “jealous” + -ie noun suffix; jealous, -y ³

Synonym Study

See envy.

Example Sentences

"Talking of such crimes as rooted in exasperated love or strong jealousy is a distortion – that uses romantic, culturally acceptable terms," the judge argues, surrounded by her research at her home in Rome.

Read more on BBC

In between unfolds a drama of infidelity, jealousy and, as embodied by Mr. Allen’s character, hypochondria.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Uncovering raw emotions, like loss, lust and jealousy, she’s able to capture their complexities through erratic rhythms, unorthodox mechanics and a trance-like ambiance.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

"I wouldn't post him to prevent someone accidentally putting their jealousy, even if it's unintentional and subconscious, as evil eye onto my relationship," says Athera.

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Here we talk of impossible love, of passion and jealousy, of loss and the practical cruelties that make desire without relief.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

• grudge 
• resentment 

When To Use

What does jealousy mean?

Jealousy is a feeling or state of resentment, bitterness, or hostility toward someone because they have something that you don’t.Jealousy usually occurs as a result of someone owning something you want but can’t have or having achieved some kind of success that you want to achieve but have not been able to.This sense of jealousy is very similar in meaning to envy, which refers to a mostly negative feeling of desire for something that someone else has and you do not—like a mix of admiration and discontent. However, while envy is not necessarily malicious, jealousy usually implies a deeper resentment, perhaps because you feel that you deserve the thing more than the other person, or that it is unfair that they have it and you don’t.Jealousy is also used in the context of romantic relationships to refer to a feeling of hostility, uneasiness, or distress relating to the fear that one’s romantic partner will be unfaithful. This often involves opposition to others giving one’s partner positive attention. Such jealousy is considered very unhealthy in relationships.Someone who is feeling or is prone to jealousy can be described as jealous. Jealous can also be used to describe such a person’s thoughts or actions.Example: If your friends feel jealousy over your success, they may not be your friends.