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C1 adjective #10,000 le plus courant 11 min de lecture

comvertous

Top 10,000

Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces comvertous en 30 secondes

Explication comvertous in your Level:

At the A1 level, we don't usually use the word 'covetous.' Instead, we use very simple words like 'want' or 'like.' If you see someone with a toy and you say 'I want that toy,' you are showing a simple desire. 'Covetous' is a much bigger word for this feeling. Imagine you are very, very hungry for your friend's cookie and you think about it all day. That is the start of being covetous. At this level, just remember that 'covetous' means 'wanting something that is not yours very much.' It is not a nice feeling. It is like being greedy but for one specific thing that belongs to another person. We use simple sentences like 'He wants his brother's bike' to explain the idea without using the hard word yet.

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At the A2 level, you might know words like 'greedy' or 'jealous.' 'Covetous' is a more advanced way to say these things. It describes a person who looks at what other people have and wants to take it. For example, if your neighbor has a beautiful garden and you feel a bit angry because you want that exact garden, you are being a little covetous. It is an adjective, which means it describes a person or their eyes. 'He has covetous eyes' means he looks at things like he wants to own them. You will mostly see this word in stories or books, not in everyday talk with friends. It's a 'book word' for wanting things too much.

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At the B1 level, you can start to understand the moral side of 'covetous.' It's not just wanting something; it's wanting something that belongs to someone else in a way that is considered wrong or selfish. You might use it to describe a character in a movie who tries to steal a treasure. It's similar to 'envious,' but stronger. While 'envious' means you are sad you don't have something, 'covetous' means you have a strong plan or desire to get it. You can use it in sentences like 'The covetous man always wanted more money.' It helps you describe people's personalities more deeply in your writing. It's a great word for middle-level students to use to sound more professional and precise.

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At the B2 level, you should be able to use 'covetous' in formal essays or when discussing literature. It is often used to describe social problems or historical events. For example, 'The empire was covetous of its neighbor's land.' This means the empire didn't just want more land; it specifically wanted the land that belonged to the other country. You should also know the noun 'covetousness.' At this level, you can distinguish between 'covetous' (wanting others' things) and 'ambitious' (wanting to succeed through hard work). Using 'covetous' shows you understand the nuances of human motivation and the negative connotations of extreme desire in a social context.

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At the C1 level, 'covetous' is a key part of your vocabulary for discussing complex human emotions and societal critiques. You understand that it carries a literary and sometimes biblical weight. You can use it to describe a 'covetous gaze' or 'covetous designs' on a position of power. You are aware of the specific preposition 'of' that follows it (e.g., 'covetous of her success'). You can use the word to analyze characters in classic literature or to describe the underlying motivations in a political or business conflict. It is a word that adds precision to your descriptions of greed, distinguishing it from general avarice by its focus on the possessions of others. You also recognize the adverb 'covetously' and can use it to describe how someone looks at or reaches for something.

At the C2 level, you have a masterly command of 'covetous' and its subtle implications. You can use it to discuss the 'covetous nature of late-stage capitalism' or the 'covetous eyes of history' in academic papers. You understand its etymological roots and how its meaning has shifted slightly over centuries while maintaining its core sense of illicit desire. You can use it ironically or metaphorically, such as 'the covetous sea' or 'a covetous silence.' You are also aware of how it contrasts with terms like 'acquisitive' (neutral) or 'rapacious' (violently greedy). Your use of the word is perfectly timed for maximum rhetorical effect, signaling a deep understanding of the moral and psychological dimensions of human longing and the language used to condemn it.

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Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces

comvertous en 30 secondes

Covetous is a formal C1 adjective meaning 'greedy for others' things.'
It differs from general greed by focusing specifically on what someone else possesses.
Commonly paired with 'eyes,' 'glances,' or 'nature' in literary and formal contexts.
Rooted in the verb 'covet,' it carries a moral weight of illicit or resentful desire.

The term covetous is a sophisticated C1-level adjective that describes a psychological state of intense, often resentful, longing for possessions or qualities belonging to another. Unlike simple 'wanting,' being covetous implies a moral boundary has been crossed where the desire becomes an obsession that disregards the rights or well-being of the current owner. It is the linguistic embodiment of the 'green-eyed monster,' focusing specifically on the acquisition of external goods, status, or relationships that are not one's own. In contemporary discourse, we use this word to critique consumerist culture or to describe the predatory nature of corporate takeovers where one company casts a covetous eye on another's market share.

Historical Context: The word has deep roots in religious and legal traditions, most notably appearing in the Tenth Commandment of the Decalogue: 'Thou shalt not covet.' This historical weight gives the word a more serious, judgmental tone than 'envious' or 'greedy.'

The billionaire cast a covetous look at his rival's pristine Mediterranean estate, already calculating how much it would take to buy it out from under him.

When people use this word today, they are often highlighting a lack of contentment. A covetous person is never satisfied with what they have because their gaze is always fixed on the neighbor's garden. This behavior is seen as corrosive to community and personal peace. In literature, covetous characters serve as cautionary tales—think of Ebenezer Scrooge in his early stages or the tragic figures in Balzac's novels who are consumed by their desire for social standing and wealth they do not possess.

Nuance vs. Greed: Greed is the general hunger for 'more,' but covetousness is the specific hunger for 'yours.' It is targeted and comparative.

His covetous nature made it impossible for him to enjoy his own success while others were still outperforming him.

Furthermore, the word often carries a physical connotation—the 'covetous eye' or 'covetous hands.' It suggests a physical reaching out or a visual devouring of the object of desire. It is a word of movement and hunger. In the age of social media, the term is seeing a resurgence in academic critiques of 'lifestyle envy,' where the digital window into others' lives creates a perpetually covetous society. Understanding this word requires recognizing the difference between healthy aspiration and the toxic, comparative longing that 'covetous' describes.

The museum curator noted the covetous glances the private collector gave the rare Ming vase.

Modern Application: In economic terms, a 'covetous market' refers to one where consumers are driven by the desire to keep up with their peers, often leading to unsustainable debt.

The marketing campaign was designed to trigger the covetous instincts of teenagers who follow high-fashion influencers.

She tried to hide her covetous thoughts when her sister announced she had won the lottery.

Using covetous correctly involves understanding its placement as an attributive adjective (before a noun) or a predicative adjective (after a linking verb). It most frequently describes eyes, glances, hearts, or natures. To use it effectively, pair it with nouns that represent internal states or external expressions of desire. For example, 'covetous eyes' is a classic collocation that personifies the desire. It is rarely used for trivial desires; you wouldn't typically say you are covetous of a sandwich unless that sandwich represents some significant status or unique possession of another.

Syntactic Patterns: Subject + be + covetous + of + [Object]. Example: 'He was covetous of his brother's success.'

The neighboring kingdom had long held covetous designs on the fertile valley across the border.

In formal writing, 'covetous' acts as a powerful descriptor for motivations. Instead of saying 'He wanted the money,' saying 'He was driven by a covetous desire for the inheritance' adds a layer of moral complexity and intensity. It suggests that the desire is not just strong, but potentially illicit or shameful. When describing characters in a narrative, using 'covetous' immediately signals to the reader that this character may be prone to betrayal or unethical actions to get what they want. It is a 'red flag' word in characterization.

Collocation: 'Covetous Eye': This phrase is used to describe someone watching something they want to take. 'The developer cast a covetous eye over the historic district.'

Despite her wealth, she remained covetous of the simple happiness she saw in others.

The word can also be used in a broader, more abstract sense. A 'covetous administration' might be one that seeks to expand its power by encroaching on the jurisdictions of others. In this sense, it describes an institutional hunger for expansion. When writing about history, you might describe an empire as covetous of its neighbors' natural resources. This elevates the description from mere greed to a strategic, targeted longing that defines the empire's foreign policy.

The judge warned that a covetous heart often leads to a dishonest hand.

His covetous grasp on the family heirlooms caused a permanent rift between the siblings.

Comparisons: While 'envious' focuses on the feeling of discontent, 'covetous' focuses on the desire to possess the object of that envy.

The antagonist's covetous ambition was the primary engine of the plot's conflict.

While you might not hear covetous in a casual conversation at a coffee shop, it is a staple of high-level journalism, literary criticism, and religious sermons. In the 21st century, it is frequently found in long-form essays discussing the psychological impacts of capitalism. For instance, a critic might write about the 'covetous gaze of the spectator' in film studies, referring to how movies make us want the lives depicted on screen. It is also a favorite word for biographers describing ambitious historical figures who were never satisfied with their conquests.

In Literature: Classic novels by Jane Austen or Charles Dickens use 'covetous' to describe the social climbing and inheritance-hunting common in the 19th century.

The op-ed criticized the covetous nature of modern tech giants seeking to own every byte of personal data.

In political commentary, the word is used to describe territorial disputes. When one nation claims land belonging to another, international observers might describe the move as 'covetous aggression.' This elevates the situation from a mere border dispute to a moral failing of the aggressor. You will also hear it in discussions of art and high fashion, where the value of an object is derived almost entirely from how much others want to possess it. An 'extremely covetous item' is one that everyone wants but few can have.

In Legal Theory: The term is sometimes used to describe 'covetous possession' in property law, though 'adverse possession' is the more common technical term.

The documentary explored the covetous culture of the 1980s stock market.

Religious contexts remain the most common place to encounter the word in spoken form. Sermons dealing with the Ten Commandments or the 'Seven Deadly Sins' (where it relates closely to Avarice) often use 'covetous' to describe the root of many human conflicts. It is portrayed as a spiritual sickness that prevents gratitude. In these settings, the word is often delivered with a tone of warning or moral instruction, emphasizing the soul-destroying nature of wanting what is not yours.

He spoke with a covetous intensity about the promotion that had been given to his colleague.

The poem describes the covetous sea, always reaching out to pull the shore into its depths.

The most frequent mistake learners make with covetous is confusing it with 'envious' or 'jealous.' While they are related, they are not perfect synonyms. Envy is the feeling of unhappiness at another's good fortune. Jealousy is the fear that someone will take what you already have. Covetousness is the active desire to obtain what the other person has. You can be envious of someone's talent (you wish you had it too), but you are covetous of their trophy (you want that specific object for yourself). Using 'covetous' to describe a general feeling of being 'bummed out' that a friend got a new car is a misuse; it's too heavy and formal for that context.

Preposition Error: Incorrect: 'He was covetous for his friend's car.' Correct: 'He was covetous of his friend's car.'

Don't mistake ambition for covetous behavior; one builds, the other takes.

Another mistake is the spelling. As seen in the prompt's typo 'comvertous,' people often try to insert an 'm' or a 'n' because they associate it with words like 'convert' or 'convene.' However, 'covetous' comes from 'covet,' which has no 'm.' Another confusion arises with the word 'coveted.' While 'covetous' describes the person or the desire, 'coveted' describes the object. You would say 'The Oscar is a highly coveted award,' but 'The actor cast a covetous eye on the Oscar.' Mixing these up can make a sentence sound nonsensical.

Register Mismatch: Using 'covetous' in a text message to a friend about a slice of pizza is usually 'overkill' unless you are being intentionally dramatic or humorous.

Her covetous nature was her downfall, as she spent her life chasing what others had instead of building her own legacy.

Lastly, ensure you don't use 'covetous' as a verb. The verb is 'to covet.' 'He covetous the car' is grammatically incorrect. It must be 'He covets the car' or 'He is covetous of the car.' This distinction between the adjective and the verb is crucial for maintaining the C1 level of precision. Many learners also forget that 'covetous' can describe non-material things like power, fame, or even someone else's peace of mind, but it always retains that sense of 'belonging to another.'

The covetous stepmother in the fairy tale wanted the princess's beauty for herself.

It is a covetous error to believe that someone else's happiness is the cause of your own misery.

When 'covetous' feels too heavy or doesn't quite fit, several alternatives offer different shades of meaning. Avaricious is a strong synonym, but it focuses almost exclusively on the desire for money and wealth, whereas covetous can apply to anything. Grasping is a more informal, visceral word suggesting a physical desire to seize things. Acquisitive is a more neutral, almost academic term for a person or society that likes to collect and own things, without the moral judgment inherent in 'covetous.'

Covetous vs. Envious: Envious: 'I wish I had a car like that.' Covetous: 'I want THAT specific car and I'm looking for a way to get it from you.'

The CEO's covetous strategy led to the hostile takeover of three smaller competitors.

If you want to describe a milder form of the feeling, desirous is a safe, formal choice. It simply means wanting something without the 'evil' connotation. On the other end of the spectrum, rapacious is much stronger, implying a violent or predatory greed that leaves others with nothing. Choosing between these words depends on the level of 'aggression' you want to convey. 'Covetous' sits right in the middle—it is more than just wanting, but less than literal theft.

Synonym Table

Greedy: General desire for more than one needs.
Avaricious: Specifically greedy for money.
Envious: Feeling bad because someone else has something.
Predatory: Seeking to exploit others for gain.

His covetous eyes were fixed on the crown, ignoring the responsibilities that came with it.

In poetic contexts, you might see 'covetous' replaced by hanker (verb form) or yearning. However, 'yearning' usually implies a sad or romantic longing, while 'covetous' always maintains its sharp, materialistic edge. When describing a market, 'competitive' is a positive spin on what might otherwise be called a 'covetous' environment. The choice of word often reveals the speaker's own moral stance on the desire being described.

The covetous nature of the colonial powers led to the exploitation of the continent's resources.

She was not covetous of her neighbor's house, but she did admire the architecture.

How Formal Is It?

Le savais-tu ?

The Roman god of love, Cupid, comes from the same Latin root 'cupere'. While Cupid represents romantic desire, 'covetous' represents the darker, more material side of wanting.

Guide de prononciation

UK /ˈkʌv.ɪ.təs/

US /ˈkʌv.ə.təs/

First syllable (COV-et-ous)

Rime avec

covetousness (partial) precipitous (near) fortuitous (near) spiritous necessitous gratuitous (near) solicitous (near) felicitous (near)

Erreurs fréquentes

Pronouncing the 'o' like 'go' instead of 'uh'.
Adding an 'm' sound (comvertous).
Stress on the second syllable.
Pronouncing the 't' as a 'd'.
Confusing it with 'coveted'.

Niveau de difficulté

Lecture 8/5

Common in literature and high-level journalism.

Écriture 9/5

Requires understanding of moral nuance and correct preposition 'of'.

Expression orale 9/5

Rarely used in speech; sounds very formal or dramatic.

Écoute 7/5

Clear pronunciation but can be confused with 'coveted'.

Quoi apprendre ensuite

Prérequis

greedy envious desire possess belong

Apprends ensuite

avaricious rapacious acquisitive cupidity penurious

Avancé

inordinate mercenary predatory usurious insatiable

Grammaire à connaître

Adjective Comparison

He is more covetous than his brother.

Prepositional Complements

Always use 'of' after 'covetous' when specifying the object.

Attributive vs Predicative

The covetous man (attributive) vs. The man is covetous (predicative).

Adverbial Formation

He looked covetously at the prize.

Noun Derivation

Covetousness is a heavy burden.

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Exemples par niveau

He is covetous of his friend's new toy.

Il a très envie du nouveau jouet de son ami.

Simple adjective use.

She has a covetous heart.

Elle a un cœur envieux.

Adjective before a noun.

Don't be covetous.

Ne sois pas envieux.

Imperative sentence.

The cat was covetous of the fish.

Le chat avait envie du poisson.

Using 'of' after the adjective.

He looked at the gold with covetous eyes.

Il a regardé l'or avec des yeux envieux.

Common collocation 'covetous eyes'.

Is he covetous?

Est-il envieux ?

Interrogative form.

They are covetous people.

Ce sont des gens envieux.

Plural use.

The small boy was covetous.

Le petit garçon était envieux.

Past tense of 'to be'.

The king was covetous of the neighboring lands.

Le roi convoitait les terres voisines.

Formal context.

She felt covetous when she saw the diamond ring.

Elle s'est sentie envieuse quand elle a vu la bague en diamant.

Feel + adjective.

His covetous nature made him unhappy.

Sa nature envieuse le rendait malheureux.

Adjective describing personality.

The covetous businessman wanted every shop in town.

L'homme d'affaires envieux voulait tous les magasins de la ville.

Subject-adjective-noun.

They cast covetous glances at our garden.

Ils jetaient des regards envieux sur notre jardin.

Verb 'cast' + 'glances'.

Being covetous is a bad habit.

Être envieux est une mauvaise habitude.

Gerund as subject.

He was not covetous, but very generous.

Il n'était pas envieux, mais très généreux.

Contrastive sentence.

The covetous dragon guarded the stolen gold.

Le dragon envieux gardait l'or volé.

Literary use.

The novel portrays a covetous man who loses everything.

Le roman dépeint un homme envieux qui perd tout.

Describing themes.

He was covetous of his partner's fame.

Il enviait la célébrité de son partenaire.

Abstract object of desire.

A covetous desire for power can be dangerous.

Un désir de pouvoir envieux peut être dangereux.

Adjective modifying an abstract noun.

The community disliked his covetous behavior.

La communauté n'aimait pas son comportement envieux.

Social context.

She tried to suppress her covetous thoughts.

Elle essayait de réprimer ses pensées envieuses.

Internal conflict.

The covetous merchant cheated his customers.

Le marchand envieux a trompé ses clients.

Causal link in narrative.

It was a covetous act to take the credit for her work.

C'était un acte envieux de s'attribuer le mérite de son travail.

Describing an action.

Why are you so covetous of things you don't need?

Pourquoi as-tu si envie de choses dont tu n'as pas besoin ?

Direct question.

The corporation's covetous policy led to several hostile takeovers.

La politique cupide de la société a conduit à plusieurs rachats hostiles.

Business context.

He watched his rival's success with a covetous eye.

Il observait le succès de son rival d'un œil envieux.

Idiomatic expression.

The covetousness of the elite often leads to social unrest.

La cupidité de l'élite mène souvent à des troubles sociaux.

Noun form 'covetousness'.

She was covetous of the lifestyle she saw on social media.

Elle enviait le mode de vie qu'elle voyait sur les réseaux sociaux.

Modern application.

The treaty was designed to curb the covetous ambitions of the dictator.

Le traité a été conçu pour freiner les ambitions cupides du dictateur.

Political context.

His covetous attitude alienated his closest friends.

Son attitude envieuse a éloigné ses amis les plus proches.

Cause and effect.

The museum was wary of covetous private collectors.

Le musée se méfiait des collectionneurs privés envieux.

Institutional context.

He spoke covetously of the millions he hoped to inherit.

Il parlait avec envie des millions qu'il espérait hériter.

Adverbial use.

The covetous reach of the colonial administration knew no bounds.

L'emprise cupide de l'administration coloniale ne connaissait pas de limites.

Metaphorical use of 'reach'.

A covetous disposition is often masked by a veneer of ambition.

Une disposition envieuse est souvent masquée par un vernis d'ambition.

Abstract philosophical statement.

He was singularly covetous of the accolades reserved for his mentor.

Il était singulièrement envieux des distinctions réservées à son mentor.

Advanced modifier 'singularly'.

The play explores the covetous dynamics within a dying dynasty.

La pièce explore la dynamique envieuse au sein d'une dynastie mourante.

Literary analysis.

Her covetous gaze lingered on the rare manuscript for a moment too long.

Son regard envieux s'est attardé sur le manuscrit rare un instant de trop.

Narrative detail.

The legislation aims to prevent the covetous exploitation of natural resources.

La législation vise à prévenir l'exploitation cupide des ressources naturelles.

Formal policy language.

Such covetous behavior is a blight on the reputation of the profession.

Un tel comportement envieux est une tache sur la réputation de la profession.

Moral judgment.

They were covetous of the silence and peace their neighbors enjoyed.

Ils enviaient le silence et la paix dont jouissaient leurs voisins.

Covetous of an intangible quality.

The protagonist's hamartia was a covetous soul that could never find rest.

L'hamartia du protagoniste était une âme envieuse qui ne pouvait jamais trouver de repos.

Literary term 'hamartia'.

We live in an era where covetous impulses are algorithmically amplified.

Nous vivons à une époque où les impulsions envieuses sont amplifiées par les algorithmes.

Societal critique.

His covetous machinations to secure the title were eventually his undoing.

Ses machinations envieuses pour obtenir le titre furent finalement sa perte.

Complex noun phrase 'covetous machinations'.

The covetous eye of the state began to peer into the private lives of its citizens.

L'œil envieux de l'État a commencé à scruter la vie privée de ses citoyens.

Personification of an institution.

To be covetous of another's grief is the ultimate form of emotional voyeurism.

Envier le chagrin d'autrui est la forme ultime de voyeurisme émotionnel.

Paradoxical use.

The landscape bore the scars of a covetous industry that had long since moved on.

Le paysage portait les cicatrices d'une industrie cupide qui était partie depuis longtemps.

Metaphorical 'scars'.

He was covetous of the very air she breathed, so total was his obsession.

Il enviait l'air même qu'elle respirait, tant son obsession était totale.

Hyperbolic literary use.

The covetousness inherent in the system ensures its perpetual expansion and eventual collapse.

La cupidité inhérente au système assure son expansion perpétuelle et son effondrement final.

Systems theory application.

Synonymes

acquisitive avaricious grasping envious greedy yearning

Antonymes

generous altruistic content

Collocations courantes

covetous eyes

covetous glance

covetous nature

covetous of

covetous heart

covetous desire

covetous look

cast a covetous eye

covetous ambition

singularly covetous

Phrases Courantes

Cast a covetous eye

— To look at something with the desire to possess it.

The rival company cast a covetous eye on their patents.

Covetous of power

— Strongly desiring to have authority over others.

The senator was covetous of power.

Covetous of fame

— Strongly desiring to be well-known and admired.

Many young actors are covetous of fame.

Covetous hands

— Used metaphorically to describe someone who takes things greedily.

Keep your covetous hands off my inheritance.

Covetous thoughts

— Thinking about things you want to take from others.

He tried to banish his covetous thoughts.

Covetous world

— A description of a society driven by greed.

It's hard to stay humble in this covetous world.

A covetous disposition

— A person's natural tendency to be greedy.

His covetous disposition was clear from childhood.

Covetous of one's neighbor

— Desiring what a neighbor has (Biblical reference).

The sermon warned against being covetous of one's neighbor.

Covetous of success

— Strongly wanting the achievements of others.

She was covetous of her sister's academic success.

Covetous intentions

— Plans made with the goal of acquiring others' property.

The lawyer's covetous intentions were revealed.

Souvent confondu avec

comvertous vs Envious

Envy is wanting what others have; covetousness is the greedy desire to possess it.

comvertous vs Jealous

Jealousy is fearing someone will take what you have; covetousness is wanting what they have.

comvertous vs Greedy

Greed is wanting more of anything; covetousness is wanting something specific belonging to another.

Expressions idiomatiques

"The green-eyed monster"

— Jealousy or covetousness personified.

He was consumed by the green-eyed monster.

Literary

"Keeping up with the Joneses"

— The covetous desire to have as much as one's neighbors.

Their covetous lifestyle was just about keeping up with the Joneses.

Informal

"To have sticky fingers"

— To be covetous in a way that leads to theft.

The covetous employee had sticky fingers.

Slang

"Eyeing the prize"

— Looking at something desired with focus.

He was eyeing the prize with a covetous glint.

Neutral

"Grass is always greener"

— The covetous belief that others have better lives.

His covetous nature was fueled by the idea that the grass is greener elsewhere.

Informal

"Bigger than your stomach"

— Wanting more than you can handle (often covetously).

His covetous eyes were bigger than his stomach.

Informal

"To cast sheep's eyes"

— To look at something with longing (sometimes covetous).

He cast sheep's eyes at the rare book.

Old-fashioned

"Lust of the eyes"

— A religious term for covetousness.

The preacher spoke about the lust of the eyes.

Religious

"Dog in the manger"

— Being covetous of something you can't even use.

Don't be a dog in the manger; you don't even like that car.

Literary

"Midas touch"

— The result of a covetous wish for gold.

His covetous prayer for the Midas touch backfired.

Literary

Facile à confondre

comvertous vs Coveted

Same root.

Covetous describes the person; coveted describes the object.

The covetous man wanted the coveted trophy.

comvertous vs Convert

Similar spelling/sound.

Convert means to change; covetous means to want.

He wants to convert the room, but he is covetous of your furniture.

comvertous vs Avaricious

Similar meaning.

Avaricious is specifically about money; covetous is about any possession.

The avaricious banker was covetous of his rival's reputation.

comvertous vs Cupidity

Same Latin root.

Cupidity is a noun (greed); covetous is an adjective.

His cupidity made him a covetous person.

comvertous vs Rapacious

Both imply greed.

Rapacious implies taking by force; covetous is the desire itself.

The rapacious wolf had a covetous eye on the sheep.

Structures de phrases

He is covetous.

The boy is covetous.

He is covetous of [Noun].

He is covetous of the toy.

A covetous [Noun] [Verb].

A covetous man steals.

[Subject] cast a covetous eye on [Object].

She cast a covetous eye on the gold.

His covetous nature was [Adjective].

His covetous nature was apparent to all.

The [Noun] was a product of covetous machinations.

The war was a product of covetous machinations.

Formal

The party remains covetous of the aforementioned assets.

The corporation remains covetous of the assets.

Literary

His soul was a covetous void.

His soul was a covetous void that no wealth could fill.

Famille de mots

Noms

covetousness

coveter

Verbes

covet

Adjectifs

covetous

coveted

Apparenté

cupidity

avarice

envy

greed

jealousy

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Comment l'utiliser

frequency

Relatively low in daily speech, high in literature and formal writing.

Erreurs courantes

He was covetous for the car. → He was covetous of the car.
The adjective 'covetous' takes the preposition 'of', not 'for'.
The comvertous man took the money. → The covetous man took the money.
There is no 'm' in the spelling of covetous.
It was a covetous award. → It was a coveted award.
Use 'coveted' for the object being desired, and 'covetous' for the person doing the desiring.
He covetous his neighbor's house. → He covets his neighbor's house.
'Covetous' is an adjective, not a verb.
She looked covetous at the ring. → She looked covetously at the ring.
Use the adverb form 'covetously' to describe an action.

Astuces

Use with 'Of'

Always remember the pattern 'covetous of [something]'. Using 'for' or 'to' is a common mistake.

Literary Flair

Use 'covetous' when writing stories to show a character's internal greed without saying 'he was greedy'.

No 'M' or 'N'

Despite how it sounds, there is no 'm' or 'n' in the middle of covetous. Think of 'covet'.

Moral Weight

Only use 'covetous' when you want to imply that the desire is somewhat wrong or excessive.

First Syllable Stress

Keep the stress on the 'COV' to sound natural.

Context Clues

When you see 'covetous', look for what the person is looking at—that's the object of their desire.

Pairing

Collocate it with 'eye', 'glance', or 'nature' for the most natural sound.

Adjective Only

Remember that 'covetous' is the adjective. The verb is 'covet'.

C1 Precision

Using 'covetous' instead of 'jealous' shows a higher level of English proficiency.

Latin Roots

Remember the connection to 'Cupid' to remember that it's about 'desire'.

Mémorise-le

Moyen mnémotechnique

Think of 'COVET' + 'US'. A covetous person wants what belongs to 'US' (other people).

Association visuelle

Imagine a person with huge, green binoculars looking into a neighbor's window at a shiny trophy.

Word Web

Greed Envy Possession Resentment Theft Eyes Desire Selfishness

Défi

Try to describe a villain in a story using 'covetous' instead of 'bad' or 'greedy'. Observe how it changes the character's feel.

Origine du mot

Middle English 'covetous', from Old French 'covoitos', based on 'covoitier' (to covet). This stems from the Latin 'cupiditas', meaning 'passionate desire' or 'lust', which is derived from 'cupere' (to desire).

Sens originel : Originally referred to a strong or passionate desire, not necessarily negative, but evolved to mean a greedy or illicit desire for others' property.

Romance (via Latin and Old French) to Germanic (English).

Contexte culturel

Be careful when using this word to describe people directly, as it is a strong moral accusation.

The word is frequently used in discussions of the 'American Dream' when it turns into a competitive obsession with status symbols.

The Tenth Commandment ('Thou shalt not covet...') Charles Dickens' Ebenezer Scrooge Shakespeare's Othello (related to jealousy/envy)

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

Literature

covetous villain
covetous heart
a tale of covetousness
cast a covetous eye

Business

covetous takeover
covetous of market share
covetous competitors
acquisitive and covetous

Religion

the sin of being covetous
thou shalt not be covetous
a covetous spirit
free from covetousness

Social Critique

covetous society
covetous consumption
covetous nature of social media
driven by covetousness

Personal Relationships

covetous of a friend's success
covetous behavior
overcoming covetous thoughts
feeling covetous

Amorces de conversation

"Do you think social media makes people more covetous of others' lives?"

"Is there a difference between being ambitious and being covetous?"

"How should a person deal with covetous feelings when they arise?"

"Can a society function well if it is entirely covetous?"

"Have you ever seen a character in a movie who was perfectly covetous?"

Sujets d'écriture

Reflect on a time you felt covetous of someone else's achievement. How did it affect your relationship with them?

Write a short scene describing a character who casts a covetous eye on a specific object in a museum.

How does the word 'covetous' differ from 'greedy' in your own personal definition?

Analyze a current event where 'covetous designs' seem to be the primary motivation for a leader or company.

What are the best ways to foster contentment and avoid a covetous mindset in a consumer-driven world?

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

In almost all contexts, yes. It implies a desire that is selfish, excessive, and directed at things that rightfully belong to others. It is rarely used as a compliment.

Envy is the feeling of unhappiness or resentment. Covetousness is the active, greedy desire to possess the object. You can be envious without being covetous, but they often go together.

Yes, but it usually refers to wanting to 'possess' them or their qualities/status. For example, 'He was covetous of her fame.'

It is pronounced KUH-vi-tuhs. The first syllable is like 'love' or 'cup'.

It is common in literature, religious texts, and formal essays, but you won't hear it often in casual conversation.

It sounds very strange and overly formal. 'I really want a pizza' or 'I'm craving pizza' is much better.

It is a common expression meaning looking at something with a strong, greedy desire to have it.

Yes! Both come from the Latin word 'cupere', which means 'to desire'. Cupid is the desire for love; covetous is the desire for things.

Content or generous. A content person is happy with what they have; a generous person wants to give to others.

No, that is a common misspelling. The correct spelling is 'covetous'.

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