Games

Word of the Day

Video

Blog: Words at Play

My Faves

Dictionary

envious

adjective en·vi·ous \ˈen-vē-əs\

: feeling or showing a desire to have what someone else has : feeling or showing envy

Full Definition of ENVIOUS

: feeling or showing envy <envious of their neighbor's new car> <envious looks>

archaic

a : emulous

b : enviable

— en·vi·ous·ly adverb

— en·vi·ous·ness noun

See envious defined for English-language learners

See envious defined for kids

First Known Use of ENVIOUS

13th century

Related to ENVIOUS

Synonyms: covetous, green-eyed, invidious, jaundiced, jealous, resentful, eating one's heart out, green with envy

Antonyms: unenvious

ENVIOUS Defined for Kids

envious

adjective en·vi·ous \ˈen-vē-əs\

Definition of ENVIOUS for Kids

: feeling or showing unhappiness over someone else's good fortune and a desire to have the same

— en·vi·ous·ly adverb

Learn More About ENVIOUS

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for "envious"

Spanish Central: Spanish translation of "envious"

Nglish: Translation of "envious" for Spanish speakers

Britannica English: Translation of "envious" for Arabic speakers

Browse

Next Word in the Dictionary: enviroPrevious Word in the Dictionary: envierAll Words Near: envious

Seen & Heard

What made you want to look up envious? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

View Seen & Heard Highlights from Around the Site

Test Your Vocabulary!

10 Charming Words for Nasty People

Put-downs with flair

Learn More

When "Literally" isn't, well, literal

How to use a word that (literally) drives some people nuts.

Watch Now

Know what this is?

Test your vocab with our fun, fast game

Go Play

Fear of cats?

Ailurophobia, and 9 other unusual fears

Learn More