# jealous

/ˈdʒɛɫəs/ (US) · /dʒˈɛləs/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/jealous
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. envy of others

adjective · CEFR B1

feeling unhappy or angry because you want something that someone else has, like their success or possessions.

For teachers: 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.

### 2. romantic suspicion

adjective · CEFR B1

feeling upset or worried because you think a person you love likes someone else.

For teachers: 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.

### 3. protective

adjective · CEFR C1 · Formal

very careful to protect something you have because you value it highly.

For teachers: 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'.

### 4. to harass

verb · CEFR C2 · Slang

to bother or attack someone because you are jealous of them.

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- She feels jealous of her brother's new phone.
- He tried to hide his feelings, but he was clearly jealous when his colleague received the promotion he wanted.
- While healthy competition can drive improvement, becoming excessively jealous of a rival's success often leads to bitterness and a breakdown in professional relationships.

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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.