Sure! Let's break down the word "envious" so it's easy to understand.
The word "envious" is an adjective that describes a feeling of wanting what someone else has. When you are envious, you may feel unhappy because you wish you had the same advantages, possessions, or qualities that another person has.
You can use "envious" to describe a feeling about other people's successes, possessions, or talents. It often has a negative feeling attached to it, as it suggests that you are not just admiring someone but wishing you had what they have.
In more advanced contexts, "envious" can be used to discuss feelings in a more nuanced way. For example: - "Despite feeling envious of her colleague’s promotion, she congratulated him sincerely."
While "envious" primarily means wanting what someone else has, it can also imply jealousy, which includes a fear of losing something you already have (like a relationship). However, "envious" is more focused on wanting what others possess rather than fear of loss.
Here are some words that mean the same or similar to "envious": - Jealous - Covetous - Resentful - Green with envy (idiomatic expression)
There aren't specific phrasal verbs that directly relate to "envious," but you might hear phrases like: - "Look up to" (which can imply admiration, but not necessarily envy). - "Wish for" (which can indicate a desire for something someone else has).