Definition

1. Noun:

   • A feeling of discontent or resentment aroused by someone else's possessions, qualities, or luck: A painful or resentful awareness of an advantage enjoyed by another, accompanied by a desire to possess the same advantage.
   • (Theology) One of the seven deadly sins: In Christian tradition, "envy" is personified as a vice involving sorrow at another's good and an inordinate desire for it.

2. Verb:

   • To feel envy toward (someone): To regard (a person) with envy; to feel a desire to have for oneself something possessed or achieved by another.
   • To feel envy because of (something): To desire (something) possessed or achieved by another.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • She felt a pang of envy when she saw her friend's new car.
  • His rapid promotion was the envy of his colleagues.
  • The sin of envy can poison relationships.

• Verb:

  • I envy your ability to stay calm under pressure.
  • They envied him for his success.
  • She secretly envied her sister's confidence.

Advanced Usage

• "Green with envy": An idiom meaning extremely envious.

  • When she won the award, her rivals were green with envy.

• "The envy of": A phrase used to describe something so good it causes envy in others.

  • The company's employee benefits are the envy of the industry.

• "Envy at": Used to specify the object of the envious feeling.

  • He couldn't hide his envy at their good fortune.

Variants and Related Words

• Envious (adjective): Feeling or showing envy.

  • She gave him an envious look.

• Enviable (adjective): Good enough to be desired or envied.

  • She has an enviable position at the firm.

Synonyms

• Noun: Jealousy, covetousness, resentment.
• Verb: Covet, begrudge.

Related Phrases

• "Envy someone something": A construction where the verb takes two objects.
  • I don't envy you that task. (Meaning: I am glad I do not have to do that task.)

Idioms

• "Envy is the ulcer of the soul": A saying meaning that envy is a destructive emotion.
• "Better be envied than pitied": A proverb suggesting it is preferable to have advantages that others want than to be in a sorry state.

Noun

1. spite and resentment at seeing the success of another (personified as one of the deadly sins)
2. a feeling of grudging admiration and desire to have something that is possessed by another

Verb

1. be envious of; set one's heart on
2. feel envious towards; admire enviously