Word
jealously
Phoneticsjeal·ous·ly, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈdʒɛɫəsɫi/
UK/dʒˈɛləsli/
Adverb of manner
Definition
adv. in a way that shows jealousy — wanting what another person has or fearing to lose someone you love. You also use it when someone protects something very carefully.
adv. with envy or possessiveness toward another's advantages or relationships, showing fear of rivalry or loss. Often extends to vigilant protection, as in guarding rights, privacy, or information.
Examples
“She looks jealously at her sister's new bike.”
“He watches jealously as his best friend spends more time with the new student at lunch.”
“The archive guards its medieval manuscripts jealously, allowing only a few scholars to handle them under strict supervision.”
Examples
simple
“She looks jealously at her sister's new bike.”
contextual
“He watches jealously as his best friend spends more time with the new student at lunch.”
complex
“The archive guards its medieval manuscripts jealously, allowing only a few scholars to handle them under strict supervision.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “jealously” in context.
Verb
01. eye jealously
“She eyed her colleague's promotion jealously.”
verb + adv
02. guard jealously
“Small nations often guard their independence jealously.”
verb + adv
03. jealously cherish
“She jealously cherishes the letters her grandmother wrote.”
adv + verb
04. jealously cling to
“The old leader still jealously clings to power.”
adv + verb + prep
05. jealously defend
“They will jealously defend their right to vote.”
adv + verb
06. jealously preserve
“The tribe still jealously preserves its ancient traditions.”
adv + verb
Adjective
07. jealously possessive
“She became jealously possessive of her best friend.”
adv + adj
08. jealously protective
“He is jealously protective of his younger sister.”
adv + adj
09. jealously secretive
“The chef is jealously secretive about his special recipe.”
adv + adj
10. cling jealously to power
“The regime continues to cling jealously to power.”
11. eye his success jealously
“His former classmates eyed his success jealously.”
12. guard its independence jealously
“The small island has always guarded its independence jealously.”
Usage
Manner adverb — typically placed after the verb or at the end of the clause.
Real-World Examples
“As a keen footballer growing up in Liverpool, he now looks on jealously at others his age, walking without pain.” Etymology
From jealous + -ly.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
Related words
- 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.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL 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: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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