Word
jealous
Phoneticsjeal·ous, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈdʒɛɫəs/
UK/dʒˈɛləs/
In Japanese
Japanese from JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0. Example sentences from Tatoeba, CC BY 2.0 FR. All sources.
Definitions
01envy of others
B1 · Intermediate
adj. feeling unhappy or angry because you want something that someone else has, like their success or possessions.
adj. feeling or showing resentment or envy of someone else's possessions, qualities, or achievements.
“He was jealous of his friend's new job and higher salary.”
“The younger sibling was often jealous of the attention and praise lavished upon the eldest for her academic achievements.”
Pitfall
She was jealous for her sister's new car.
She was jealous of her sister's new car.
Use the preposition 'of' after jealous when naming the person or thing you envy.
02romantic suspicion
B1 · Intermediate
adj. feeling upset or worried because you think a person you love likes someone else.
adj. feeling or showing suspicion of a partner's or lover's fidelity; troubled by the fear of being replaced.
“Her boyfriend gets jealous whenever she talks to other men at parties.”
“The protagonist's jealous nature eventually eroded the trust in the relationship, leading to a bitter and inevitable separation.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
03protective
C1 · Advanced Formal
adj. very careful to protect something you have because you value it highly.
adj. vigilant or fiercely protective of one's rights, possessions, or reputation.
“The small nation was jealous of its independence and refused to join the union.”
“The guild was jealous of its ancient privileges, resisting any legislative attempt to modernise the industry's traditional practices.”
Usage
Often followed by the preposition 'of'.
Synonyms
Antonyms
04to harass
C2 · Proficiency Slang
v. to bother or attack someone because you are jealous of them.
v. to harass, target, or physically attack an individual due to feelings of jealousy or envy.
“The group started jealousying him just because he won the prize.”
“In certain online communities, users may jealous those who achieve sudden viral fame through coordinated harassment campaigns.”
Teaching tip
This verb use is very rare and restricted to specific slang registers; learners should stick to 'make someone jealous' or 'act out of jealousy' in standard contexts.
Etymology
First attested in 1382. From Middle English jelous, gelous, gelus, from Old French jalous, from Late Latin zelosus, from Ancient Greek ζῆλος (zêlos, “zeal, jealousy”). Doublet of zealous.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
- 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.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL 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: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784EikenEikenTest in Practical English ProficiencyThe English proficiency test from the Eiken Foundation of Japan, widely taken by Japanese students. Grades run from 5 to 1, with Pre-1 and Pre-2 between them.Grade 2
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- B1 · Intermediate
- Updated
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