# envy

/ˈɛnvi/ (US) · /ˈɛnvi/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/envy
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. the feeling of resentment

noun · CEFR B1

the feeling of wanting what someone else has.

For teachers: a feeling of discontented or resentful longing aroused by someone else's possessions, qualities, or luck.

- She felt a sharp pang of envy when she saw her friend's new house.
- The promotion of his younger colleague filled him with a bitter sense of envy that he struggled to conceal during the meeting.

### 2. the object of desire

noun · CEFR B2

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

For teachers: 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.

Usage: Often used in the phrase 'the envy of'.

### 3. to want what another has

verb · CEFR B1

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

For teachers: 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.

Usage: This is a transitive verb and takes a direct object.

### 4. hatred or ill-will

noun · CEFR C2 · Archaic · Literary

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

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- He watched his friend's new car with envy.
- She felt a sharp pang of envy when she saw her colleague's name on the promotion list.
- While healthy competition can drive personal growth, deep-seated envy often results in a bitter preoccupation with the achievements of others rather than the cultivation of one's own talents.

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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.