envy

B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun

n. a person or thing that people admire and want for themselves.

n. a person or thing that is the object of envious notice.

“His beautiful garden was the envy of the whole neighbourhood.”

“The startup's rapid growth and high profit margins made it the envy of the local tech industry.”

B1 · Intermediate

v. to wish that you had the same qualities or things as someone else.

v. to feel envy toward someone or their possessions; to begrudge someone their success.

“I don't envy him the long commute he has to do every morning.”

“While many might envy her fame, few would enjoy the constant lack of privacy that comes with it.”

C2 · Proficiency Uncountable noun Archaic · Literary

n. a very old-fashioned word for deep hatred or bad feelings toward someone.

n. malice, ill-will, or enmity toward another person.

“The old stories tell of a king who acted out of pure envy and spite.”

“The protagonist's downfall was brought about not by fate, but by the hidden envy of those he considered his closest allies.”