English Explanatory Dictionary

envious

English dictionary entry

Meanings

adj
  1. Feeling or exhibiting envy; jealously desiring the excellence or good fortune of another; maliciously grudging.
  2. Excessively careful; cautious.
  3. Malignant; mischievous; spiteful.
  4. Inspiring envy.

Pronunciation

ĕnʹvēəs /ˈɛnviːəs/ En-uk-envious.ogg LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vininn126-envious.wav

Word forms

envious more envious most envious

Etymology

From Middle English envious, from Anglo-Norman envious, from Old French envieus, envious (modern French envieux), from Latin invidiōsus; more at envy. Doublet of invidious, borrowed directly from Latin. Displaced native Old English æfestiġ.

Synonyms

overcautious

Related words

jealous

Derived words

enviously enviousness nonenvious unenvious
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