# greed

/ˈɡɹid/ (US) · /ɡɹˈiːd/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. desire for wealth or power

noun · CEFR B1

a selfish desire to have more money or power than you need.

For teachers: an excessive and selfish desire for wealth, power, or status. Usually uncountable in this abstract sense.

- The company's downfall was caused by the pure greed of its directors.
- Critics argued that the housing crisis was exacerbated by corporate greed, as investors prioritised short-term profits over community stability.

### 2. desire for food

noun · CEFR B2

a desire to eat much more food than you need.

For teachers: an excessive desire for food; gluttony.

- He finished the entire cake himself out of pure greed.
- The child's greed for sweets was so great that he hid several chocolate bars under his pillow for later.

### 3. to desire greedily

verb · CEFR C2 · Literary

to want something very much in a selfish way.

For teachers: to desire something in a greedy or acquisitive manner. This verbal use is significantly less common than the noun.

- He began to greed after the gold he saw in the window.
- In the old fable, the antagonist began to greed after his neighbour's fertile lands, eventually leading to his own ruin.

Usage: The verb is often followed by the preposition 'after' or 'for'.

## Examples

- His greed for money led him to make some bad choices.
- The company's downfall was caused by the pure greed of its executives, who ignored safety to increase profits.
- Philosophers have long debated whether greed is an inherent part of human nature or a learned behavior driven by the competitive structures of modern society.

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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.