Word
covet
Phoneticscov·et, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈkəvət/
UK/kˈʌvɪt/
Definition
v. to want something very much, especially something that belongs to someone else. You use this when you are jealous of what another person has.
v. to desire something intensely, especially something that belongs to another person. Often carries a connotation of envy or a sense of moral wrong.
Examples
“She covets the new car her neighbor bought last week.”
“He has always envied his brother's success and secretly covets his high-paying job.”
“The protagonist's life is defined by a constant desire to covet what others possess, leading to a deep sense of dissatisfaction and isolation.”
Examples
simple
“She covets the new car her neighbor bought last week.”
contextual
“He has always envied his brother's success and secretly covets his high-paying job.”
complex
“The protagonist's life is defined by a constant desire to covet what others possess, leading to a deep sense of dissatisfaction and isolation.”
Real-World Examples
“The Welsh club have obviously spent big on their French scouting budget this summer given they also covet Jacques Ekomié , the Angers left-back, though may face competition from West Ham.” Etymology
From Middle English coveten, coveiten, coveyten, from Old French covoitier (modern French convoiter), from covoitié (“desire”), presumably modified from Latin cupiditas.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/covet