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envy

Meaning in simple English, pronunciation and examples

Pronunciation: US /ˈɛnvi/

envy means: The unhappy feeling of wanting something another person has.

noun

WANTING OTHERS’ THINGSB2

The unhappy feeling of wanting something another person has.

  • I felt envy when I saw her car.
  • His success filled them with envy.
  • She hid her envy of her sister.

How to use it: envy of someone/something (His envy of her success was obvious.)

Similar words: jealousy

Common phrases: envy of someone, with envy, feel envy, out of envy

verb

WANT OTHERS’ THINGSB2

To wish you had something that another person has.

  • I envy your freedom.
  • She envied his beautiful garden.
  • Do you envy people who work from home?

How to use it: envy someone something (I envy you your free time.)

Similar words: be jealous of

Common phrases: envy someone, envy someone something, envy someone’s success

RESENT GOOD FORTUNEC1

To dislike someone because they have something good that you want.

  • His rivals envied him for his wealth.
  • She bitterly envied her successful brother.
  • They envied anyone who had more than they did.

How to use it: envy someone for something (They envied her for her success.)

Similar words: resent, be jealous of

Common phrases: envy someone, envy a rival

Questions about envy

What does envy mean?

The unhappy feeling of wanting something another person has.

What is envy in other languages?

Türkçe: imrenme · Español: envidia · Français: envie · Deutsch: Neid · Italiano: invidia · 日本語: 羨望

How do you pronounce envy?

It is pronounced /ˈɛnvi/.

How do you use envy in a sentence?

I felt envy when I saw her car. His success filled them with envy.

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envy in other languages

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