# covet

/ˈkəvət/ (US) · /kˈʌvɪt/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Verb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/covet
Updated: 2026-05-20

## Definition

to want something very much, especially something that belongs to someone else. You use this when you are jealous of what another person has.

For teachers: 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.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.