Cette page dans ta langue

English

فارسی

العربية

Deutsch

Español

日本語

한국어

Português

中文

हिन्दी

A1 noun #4,253 le plus courant 13 min de lecture

jealous

Top 4,253

Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces jealous en 30 secondes

Explication jealous in your Level:

At the A1 level, 'jealous' is a word used to describe a very basic feeling. It is like feeling 'sad' or 'angry' because someone else has something you want. For example, if your friend has a big ice cream and you have a small one, you might feel jealous. We use 'jealous of' to show who or what makes us feel this way. It is a word children learn early because they often feel this way about toys or their parents' attention. When you are A1, you can use simple sentences like 'I am jealous' or 'He is jealous of my dog.' It is an important word for talking about your feelings and describing how people in a story are acting. You don't need to know complex reasons why someone is jealous; you just need to know that it is a 'bad' or 'unhappy' feeling about what other people have. Usually, in A1, we focus on the most common meaning: wanting what another person has. This helps you describe basic social situations and simple stories where one character wants what another character possesses. It is often taught alongside other emotion words like happy, sad, and angry.

At the A2 level, you start to use 'jealous' to make simple comparisons between people. You might say, 'My sister is more jealous than I am.' You also begin to understand that 'jealous' can be used in different situations, like at school or with friends. You might hear it when talking about someone's new phone or a high grade on a test. A2 learners should practice using the preposition 'of' correctly every time. For example, 'She is jealous of his new car' is a classic A2 sentence. You also learn that being jealous can make people act in certain ways, like not talking to someone or being mean. At this level, you might also see the word in simple dialogues about relationships, like a friend being 'jealous' because someone else is talking to their best friend. It is a useful word for adding more detail to your descriptions of people's personalities. You can say someone is a 'jealous person' to describe a character trait. This level focuses on moving beyond just feeling the emotion to describing people who frequently feel the emotion and the simple reasons behind it in everyday life.

Inscris-toi gratuitement pour lire l'explication complète

At the B1 level, you should be able to discuss the social consequences of being jealous. You can explain *why* someone feels this way using more complex grammar, like 'He is jealous because he thinks he works harder than his colleague.' You also start to recognize common phrases and idioms, like 'the green-eyed monster.' At B1, you can distinguish between being jealous of a person and being jealous of a thing. You might use the word in the context of work, social media, and more complex friendship dynamics. You should also be able to use adverbs to modify the word, such as 'slightly jealous' or 'very jealous.' This helps you express the intensity of the feeling. You might also start to use the noun 'jealousy' in your writing, though 'jealous' remains the primary adjective. B1 learners often encounter this word in articles about psychology or advice columns, where the focus is on managing emotions. You are expected to understand that jealousy is a common human experience but one that can lead to problems if not controlled. You can talk about the feeling in the past tense, like 'I was jealous of her when we were younger,' reflecting on how your feelings have changed over time.

Inscris-toi gratuitement pour lire l'explication complète

At the B2 level, you understand the nuance between 'jealous' and 'envious,' even if native speakers sometimes mix them up. You can use 'jealous' to describe complex professional rivalries and intricate romantic plots in literature or film. You are comfortable using the word in various registers, from informal gossip to more formal psychological discussions. You might use phrases like 'a jealous streak' or 'fiercely jealous' to add sophistication to your descriptions. B2 learners can also explore the 'protective' side of the word, such as being 'jealous of one's reputation.' This shows a deeper understanding of the word's range. You can participate in debates about whether jealousy is a natural or a learned emotion. Your vocabulary should include related words like 'possessive,' 'resentful,' and 'covetous,' and you should know when to use 'jealous' instead of these alternatives. In writing, you can use 'jealous' as part of a complex sentence structure, such as 'Despite her outward success, she remained deeply jealous of those who seemed to find happiness more easily.' This level requires a firm grasp of the emotional weight and social implications of the word in diverse contexts.

Inscris-toi gratuitement pour lire l'explication complète

At the C1 level, you have a sophisticated understanding of 'jealous' and its place in the English lexical web. You can analyze the word's use in classical literature, such as Shakespeare's *Othello*, and discuss how the concept of jealousy has evolved over time. You are aware of the word's more archaic or formal meanings, such as its use in religious texts to mean 'intolerant of rivalry' or 'vigilant.' You can use the word with precision in academic or professional contexts, perhaps discussing 'jealous competition' in economics or 'jealous guarding of intellectual property' in law. Your use of the word is characterized by an awareness of its connotations and the subtle ways it can be used to imply insecurity or a lack of character in a subject. You can also use it figuratively and creatively, exploring the personification of jealousy in poetry or prose. C1 learners are expected to handle the word with complete grammatical and contextual accuracy, including its use in complex idiomatic expressions and as part of nuanced psychological profiles. You might discuss the 'pathology of jealousy' or the 'sociological roots of jealous behavior' with ease, integrating the word into high-level discourse.

Inscris-toi gratuitement pour lire l'explication complète

At the C2 level, your mastery of 'jealous' is near-native or native-like. You understand the word's etymology from the Greek 'zelos' and how that history informs its modern usage. You can detect and use the word in the most subtle of contexts, such as when it is used ironically or with deep sarcasm. You are familiar with the word's appearance in varied dialects and historical versions of English. In your own writing, you use 'jealous' to create rich, multi-layered descriptions of human motivation and conflict. You can discuss the word's role in the 'human condition' and its relationship to other complex concepts like ego, desire, and social hierarchy. You are capable of distinguishing between the 'benign' jealousy of a friend's good fortune and the 'malicious' jealousy that seeks to destroy another's happiness. Your command of collocations, idioms, and related terminology is exhaustive, allowing you to choose 'jealous' only when it is the most precise word available. You can also critique the use of the word in media and literature, identifying how its meaning can be manipulated to serve a specific narrative or ideological purpose. At this level, 'jealous' is not just a vocabulary word; it is a tool for profound psychological and social analysis.

Inscris-toi gratuitement pour lire l'explication complète

Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces

jealous en 30 secondes

Jealous is an adjective describing feelings of resentment toward others' possessions or achievements.
It often involves a fear of losing a loved one's attention to a potential rival or third party.
The word is commonly used with the preposition 'of,' as in 'jealous of someone's success.'
While similar to 'envious,' jealousy typically implies a perceived threat to a relationship you already possess.

The word jealous is a powerful adjective that describes a complex cocktail of human emotions. At its most basic level, being jealous involves feeling unhappy, resentful, or even angry because you perceive that someone else possesses something you lack—whether that is a physical object, a personal quality, or a specific achievement. However, the word also carries a deeper, more protective meaning related to human relationships. It describes the fear or anxiety one feels when they suspect that a person they love or care for is showing too much affection or attention to someone else. This dual nature makes 'jealous' one of the most frequently used words to describe social friction and internal insecurity.

The Envy Aspect: This occurs when you see a peer with a brand-new smartphone or a colleague receiving a promotion you wanted. You feel a sting of resentment because you wish that success or item belonged to you instead of them.

Even though they were best friends, Sarah felt incredibly jealous when Mark won the lottery.

In the context of romance or friendship, being jealous often manifests as a protective, albeit sometimes destructive, instinct. If a boyfriend becomes upset because his girlfriend is talking to another man, he is experiencing jealousy rooted in the fear of replacement. This is often described as 'possessive' behavior. It is important to distinguish between 'jealous' and 'envious,' though in modern casual English, they are often used interchangeably. True jealousy usually involves a third party—a rival who threatens a relationship you already have—whereas envy is simply wanting what someone else has.

The Protective Aspect: This is the 'guarding' side of the word. A person might be jealous of their reputation or their time, meaning they are very protective of it and do not want others to interfere with or diminish it.

The old king was jealous of his power and refused to let his sons help him rule.

Psychologically, jealousy is often seen as a secondary emotion, meaning it is usually triggered by more primary feelings like fear, sadness, or insecurity. When a child is jealous of a new baby sibling, they are actually afraid that their parents will stop loving them. Understanding this helps us use the word more accurately in literature and daily conversation. It is not just about 'wanting'; it is about the complex interaction between our desires and our social standing. When you use this word, you are touching on one of the most fundamental aspects of human social competition and emotional attachment.

You shouldn't be jealous of her success; she worked very hard for many years to achieve it.

The Biological Root: Some evolutionary psychologists argue that jealousy evolved as a survival mechanism to ensure that mates remained faithful and resources were protected within the family unit.

The dog became jealous and barked loudly when the owner started petting the neighbor's cat.

Stop being so jealous about things that don't even matter in the long run.

Using the word jealous correctly requires understanding its prepositional partners. The most common construction is 'jealous of [someone or something].' This structure is used to identify the target of the emotion. For example, 'I am jealous of your talent.' Another common construction is 'jealous about [a situation],' which focuses more on the circumstances causing the feeling, such as 'He is jealous about the time she spends at work.' Understanding these nuances allows for more precise communication of complex emotional states.

Subject-Verb-Adjective: The simplest way to use the word is as a predicate adjective following a linking verb like 'be,' 'feel,' or 'become.' Example: 'She feels jealous.'

It is perfectly normal to feel a little jealous when you see your ex-partner with someone new.

When modifying a noun directly, 'jealous' functions as an attributive adjective. In this role, it describes a person's character or a specific type of behavior. Phrases like 'a jealous husband' or 'a jealous streak' are common. A 'jealous streak' refers to a part of someone's personality that is prone to feeling this emotion. It suggests that the jealousy is not just a one-time event but a recurring pattern of behavior. Writers often use this to add depth to a character's flaws.

Comparisons: You can use 'more jealous' or 'most jealous' to compare levels of the emotion. Example: 'Of all the siblings, Arthur was the most jealous of their father's attention.'

The more successful she became, the more jealous her old classmates seemed to grow.

In more advanced usage, 'jealous' can be paired with an infinitive to show the reason for the feeling. For instance, 'He was jealous to see his rival take the stage.' This is slightly more literary and adds a sense of immediate observation to the emotion. Additionally, the word can be modified by adverbs to show intensity, such as 'fiercely jealous,' 'insanely jealous,' or 'secretly jealous.' These adverbs help clarify whether the emotion is a quiet internal struggle or a loud, aggressive display.

She was secretly jealous of her brother's ability to make friends so easily.

Negative Constructions: Often used to deny the feeling to maintain dignity. Example: 'I'm not jealous; I just think his behavior is inappropriate.'

Don't be jealous of people who have more than you; focus on your own journey.

He was so jealous that he couldn't even bring himself to congratulate his friend.

The word jealous is a staple of modern media, appearing in everything from pop songs and reality television to classic literature and high-stakes courtroom dramas. In pop culture, it is most frequently heard in the context of romantic relationships. Songwriters often use the word to express the pain of seeing a former lover with someone else. For example, Nick Jonas has a famous song titled 'Jealous' where he explores the feeling of wanting to protect his partner from the gaze of others. This 'protective' jealousy is a very common theme in entertainment because it is an emotion that almost everyone can relate to.

Reality TV and Gossip: In shows like 'The Bachelor' or 'Love Island,' participants are frequently described as 'jealous' when they see their romantic interests spending time with other contestants. It is used to drive conflict and drama.

The tabloid headlines claimed the actress was jealous of her co-star's rising popularity.

In literature, jealousy is often referred to as 'the green-eyed monster,' a phrase coined by William Shakespeare in his play *Othello*. In this classic tragedy, the character Iago uses jealousy as a weapon to destroy Othello's life. This literary connection has cemented the word in the English language as something that can be both a minor annoyance and a devastating, life-altering force. When you hear the word in a serious drama, it often signals that a character's internal insecurity is about to lead to a major plot twist or a tragic mistake.

Workplace and Career: You might hear this word in the office when discussing promotions or office politics. Employees might be jealous of a coworker's flexible schedule or their close relationship with the boss.

I'm so jealous that you get to work from home three days a week!

Finally, the word is ubiquitous in social media discourse. People often talk about 'Instagram jealousy'—the feeling of inadequacy that comes from looking at the curated, perfect lives of others online. This modern context has given the word a new life, describing the digital-age phenomenon of comparing our 'behind-the-scenes' with everyone else's 'highlight reel.' Whether it's a child crying over a sibling's toy or a CEO resenting a rival's market share, the word 'jealous' remains one of our most effective tools for describing the friction of social existence.

Social media can make even the most confident person feel jealous of others' vacations.

Parenting and Childhood: Parents often use this word to explain a child's behavior to them. 'You're just jealous because your sister got a bigger piece of cake.'

The toddler was jealous when his mother picked up the new puppy.

He tried to hide it, but he was clearly jealous of his friend's new promotion.

One of the most persistent mistakes in English is the confusion between jealous and envious. While they are often used as synonyms in casual conversation, they actually describe different emotional dynamics. Understanding this distinction can significantly improve your precision in writing and speaking. Jealousy involves a three-way relationship where you fear losing something you already have (usually affection) to a third party. Envy, on the other hand, is a two-way relationship where you want something that someone else has. If you want your friend's car, you are envious. If you are afraid your friend is going to steal your girlfriend, you are jealous.

Preposition Errors: Many learners mistakenly use 'jealous for' or 'jealous at.' The correct preposition is almost always 'of.' For example, 'I am jealous of him,' not 'I am jealous at him.'

Incorrect: He was jealous at his brother's success. Correct: He was jealous of his brother's success.

Another common mistake is confusing the adjective 'jealous' with the noun 'jealousy.' You cannot say 'He has a lot of jealous.' You must say 'He has a lot of jealousy' or 'He is very jealous.' This is a basic part-of-speech error that can make a speaker sound less fluent. Additionally, some people use 'jealous' when they actually mean 'suspicious.' While jealousy often involves suspicion, they are not the same thing. Suspicion is a lack of trust, while jealousy is the emotional reaction to that perceived threat.

Overusing the Word: Sometimes people use 'jealous' to describe simple admiration. Saying 'I'm so jealous of your dress!' is fine in casual English, but in formal writing, 'I admire your dress' is more appropriate.

She wasn't actually jealous; she was just surprised by the sudden change in plans.

Finally, be careful with the intensity of the word. Calling someone 'jealous' can be seen as an insult or an accusation of insecurity. If you want to describe a milder feeling, words like 'competitive' or 'covetous' might be more accurate depending on the context. In romantic contexts, 'jealous' often implies a lack of trust, so using it to describe yourself to a partner can sometimes lead to unintended arguments if not handled with care. Precision in using this word helps in navigating sensitive social waters.

It's a mistake to think that being jealous is the same thing as being in love.

Misspelling: Learners often forget the 'a' or the 'u'. Common misspellings include 'jelous' or 'jealousy' (used as an adjective). Remember: J-E-A-L-O-U-S.

He wrote a long letter explaining why he felt so jealous lately.

You look jealous—is there something you want to tell me?

While jealous is a very versatile word, the English language offers many alternatives that can capture specific shades of meaning. Choosing the right synonym can make your writing more descriptive and your speech more nuanced. For instance, if you want to emphasize the desire to have something someone else has, 'envious' is your best choice. If you want to describe a person who is very protective and perhaps a bit controlling in a relationship, 'possessive' is a strong alternative. These words help to pinpoint the exact nature of the emotion being felt.

Envious vs. Jealous: Envious is about wanting what you don't have. Jealous is about the fear of losing what you do have. Envious is often less 'aggressive' than jealous.

I'm so envious of your ability to play the piano so beautifully.

Another interesting alternative is 'covetous.' This word has a more formal, almost biblical tone. It describes a strong, grasping desire for things that belong to others. 'Resentful' is another related term; it focuses on the feeling of bitterness or unfairness that often accompanies jealousy. If someone is jealous of a coworker's promotion, they might also feel resentful because they believe they deserved it more. In a romantic context, 'suspicious' or 'distrustful' can describe the cognitive side of jealousy—the belief that something wrong is happening behind one's back.

Possessive: This word describes someone who wants to own or control another person's time and attention. It is a common 'toxic' form of jealousy.

His possessive nature eventually drove all his friends away.

For more positive or neutral contexts, you might use 'competitive.' While jealousy is usually seen as negative, being 'competitive' can be a trait that drives success. If two athletes are jealous of each other's records, they might channel that into being 'competitive' during the next race. Similarly, 'begrudging' is an adjective used to describe someone who gives something (like praise or a gift) but does so with a feeling of jealousy or resentment. 'He gave a begrudging compliment to his rival' implies that he was jealous but felt forced to be polite.

She was begrudging of his success, only clapping half-heartedly when he won.

Jaundiced: A more literary term, 'a jaundiced eye' means looking at something with prejudice, often caused by jealousy or past disappointment.

He looked at the new manager with a jaundiced eye, certain that the man was incompetent.

There is no need to be resentful; everyone has their own time to shine.

How Formal Is It?

Le savais-tu ?

The words 'jealous' and 'zealous' are etymological cousins. One became associated with envy, while the other became associated with passion and enthusiasm.

Guide de prononciation

UK /ˈdʒel.əs/

US /ˈdʒel.əs/

The stress is on the first syllable: JEL-ous.

Rime avec

zealous fell-us tell us bellous sell us dwell-us swell-us hell-us

Erreurs fréquentes

Pronouncing the 'ea' as a long 'e' (like 'jeel-ous').
Adding an extra syllable (like 'jel-ee-ous').
Pronouncing the 'ous' as 'house'.
Forgetting the initial 'd' sound in the 'j'.
Swapping the 'l' and 's' sounds.

Niveau de difficulté

Lecture 2/5

The word is common but its nuances in literature can be tricky.

Écriture 2/5

Requires correct preposition usage ('of').

Expression orale 1/5

Very common in daily speech and easy to pronounce.

Écoute 1/5

Clearly pronounced and often emphasized in emotional contexts.

Quoi apprendre ensuite

Prérequis

want feel angry sad friend

Apprends ensuite

envious resentful possessive insecure rivalry

Avancé

covetous begrudging jaundiced malicious emulation

Grammaire à connaître

Adjective vs. Noun

Use 'jealous' to describe the person (He is jealous) and 'jealousy' for the concept (He felt jealousy).

Prepositional Choice

Always use 'of' for the object of jealousy: 'Jealous of her', not 'Jealous for her'.

Linking Verbs

Jealous follows verbs like 'be', 'feel', 'look', 'seem', 'become'.

Comparatives

Use 'more jealous' and 'most jealous' rather than adding -er or -est.

Adverbial Modification

Adverbs like 'quite', 'very', 'extremely', and 'fiercely' can modify the intensity.

Inscris-toi gratuitement pour lire l'explication complète

Exemples par niveau

I am jealous of your new toy.

I want your toy.

Subject + be + jealous + of + object.

He is jealous because you have a dog.

He wants a dog too.

Using 'because' to explain the reason.

Don't be jealous of my apple.

Don't feel bad about my fruit.

Imperative negative 'Don't be'.

She feels jealous of her sister.

She is unhappy about her sister.

Using 'feel' as a linking verb.

Are you jealous of me?

Question form.

Inverting the subject and verb for a question.

The cat is jealous of the baby.

The cat wants attention.

Animals can be subjects of this adjective.

They are jealous of our big house.

They want our house.

Plural subject usage.

I am not jealous of her.

Negative statement.

Adding 'not' after the verb 'be'.

My brother is often jealous of my grades.

He feels this way many times.

Using the frequency adverb 'often'.

She became jealous when he talked to Sarah.

The feeling started at that moment.

Using 'became' to show a change in state.

It is not good to be a jealous person.

Describing character.

Using 'jealous' as an attributive adjective.

Why are you so jealous of him?

Asking for a reason with intensity.

Using 'so' for emphasis.

He was jealous of his friend's expensive bike.

Past tense usage.

Past simple of 'to be'.

I think she is just a little bit jealous.

Softening the description.

Using 'a little bit' to modify the adjective.

Stop being so jealous; it's just a game.

Telling someone to stop the behavior.

Imperative with 'stop being'.

They were jealous to see us winning.

Feeling it while observing something.

Adjective followed by an infinitive.

He has a jealous streak that often causes problems.

A part of his personality.

The phrase 'jealous streak' is a common collocation.

I'm secretly jealous of your ability to speak three languages.

Hiding the feeling.

Using an adverb to show how the feeling is held.

Social media makes many people feel jealous of others' lives.

General observation.

Gerund phrase as the subject.

She was jealous about the promotion her colleague received.

Jealous about a specific situation.

Using 'about' instead of 'of' for situations.

Is it possible to be jealous and happy at the same time?

Philosophical question.

Using 'and' to join two adjectives.

His jealous behavior is starting to annoy his friends.

Describing actions.

Present continuous of 'start' plus infinitive.

If I were you, I wouldn't be so jealous of her success.

Giving advice.

Second conditional for advice.

The more successful he got, the more jealous his rivals became.

Correlation.

The... the... comparative structure.

She is fiercely jealous of her professional reputation.

Very protective.

Using 'fiercely' to show high intensity.

Jealous thoughts can often lead to irrational actions.

Abstract discussion.

Adjective modifying an abstract noun.

He tried to suppress his jealous feelings during the wedding.

Trying to hide the emotion.

Using 'suppress' with the adjective form used as a noun-modifier.

The character Iago is famously jealous in Shakespeare's Othello.

Literary reference.

Proper noun and literary context.

Are you jealous of the time I spend on my hobbies?

Relationship inquiry.

Question about specific time allocation.

It was a jealous rage that drove him to make that mistake.

Extreme emotion.

Collocation 'jealous rage'.

She felt a pang of jealous resentment when she saw the photo.

Sudden feeling.

Combining two emotional descriptors.

He was jealous of anyone who had a better relationship with the boss.

Workplace competition.

Using 'anyone who' as the object of the preposition.

The company is jealous of its market share and will sue any infringers.

Corporate protectionism.

Using 'jealous' to mean 'vigilant' or 'protective'.

His jealous guarding of the secret led to its eventual discovery.

Protective behavior leading to irony.

Using the adjective to modify a gerund 'guarding'.

She cast a jealous eye over the competitor's latest product line.

Critical and resentful observation.

Idiomatic phrase 'cast a jealous eye'.

The poem explores the jealous nature of time, which steals our youth.

Personification in literature.

Metaphorical usage.

He was intensely jealous, a trait that proved to be his undoing.

Character flaw leading to tragedy.

Appositive phrase explaining the adjective's role.

Is the feeling purely jealous, or is there a hint of admiration there?

Questioning motivations.

Using 'purely' to define the scope of the emotion.

She was jealous to the point of obsession, following his every move.

Extreme level of the emotion.

Prepositional phrase 'to the point of' for intensity.

The old aristocracy was jealous of the rising merchant class.

Historical social conflict.

Describing group dynamics in history.

The jealous mistress of the arts, excellence requires total devotion.

Abstract personification of a concept.

Highly literary use of 'jealous' as an epithet.

He maintained a jealous watch over the border, fearing an incursion.

Vigilant and protective.

Using 'jealous' in its traditional sense of 'vigilant'.

The narrative is a searing indictment of the jealousies that plague small towns.

Plural noun form in a literary critique.

Pluralizing the noun form to show multiple instances.

Her jealous disposition was masked by a veneer of polite indifference.

Hidden personality trait.

Using 'veneer' to describe the hiding of the 'jealous' trait.

It is a jealous god we serve, one that brooks no other idols.

Theological/Archaic usage.

Archaic meaning 'demanding exclusive loyalty'.

The essay deconstructs the jealous impulses inherent in human social hierarchies.

Academic analysis.

Using 'jealous' as an attributive adjective for 'impulses'.

He was jealous of his privacy, bordering on the pathological.

Extreme protection of personal life.

Using 'bordering on' to show the extreme nature of the trait.

Their jealous bickering was the background noise of my childhood.

Constant petty conflict.

Using 'jealous' to characterize a specific type of 'bickering'.

Synonymes

envious resentful suspicious begrudging green-eyed

Antonymes

proud trusting satisfied

Collocations courantes

jealous of

fiercely jealous

jealous streak

jealous rage

insanely jealous

feel jealous

jealous god

secretly jealous

jealous look

intensely jealous

Phrases Courantes

I'm so jealous!

— A common informal way to say you admire someone's good fortune or possessions.

You're going to Hawaii? I'm so jealous!

A jealous husband/wife

— Describes a spouse who is overly protective or suspicious of their partner.

His reputation as a jealous husband preceded him.

Jealous of one's time

— Being very protective of how one spends their time.

As a writer, she was jealous of her time and avoided long meetings.

Jealous of one's reputation

— Being very careful and protective about how others see you.

The politician was jealous of his reputation for honesty.

Get jealous

— To begin feeling the emotion of jealousy.

Don't get jealous just because I won the game.

Make someone jealous

— To intentionally act in a way that causes another person to feel jealousy.

She posted the photos just to make her ex jealous.

Green with jealousy

— A variation of 'green with envy,' meaning extremely jealous.

He was green with jealousy when he saw the new car.

A jealous eye

— Watching something with suspicion or resentment.

The manager kept a jealous eye on the new employee's progress.

Bitterly jealous

— Feeling jealousy accompanied by deep resentment and unhappiness.

She was bitterly jealous of her sister's marriage.

No reason to be jealous

— A phrase used to reassure someone that their jealousy is unfounded.

You have no reason to be jealous; I only love you.

Souvent confondu avec

jealous vs envious

Envy is wanting what others have. Jealousy is fear of losing what you have.

jealous vs zealous

Zealous means having great energy or enthusiasm for a cause, though it sounds similar.

jealous vs suspicious

Suspicion is a feeling that someone is doing something wrong; jealousy is the emotional reaction to that feeling.

Expressions idiomatiques

"The green-eyed monster"

— A personification of jealousy, famously used by Shakespeare.

Beware of the green-eyed monster; it can destroy your peace.

literary

"Eat one's heart out"

— To suffer from excessive jealousy or envy.

Eat your heart out, Sarah! I got the lead role in the play.

informal

"Green with envy"

— To be extremely jealous or envious of someone else.

When she saw my new designer bag, she was green with envy.

neutral

"Keep a jealous eye on"

— To watch something or someone very closely and protectively.

He keeps a jealous eye on his collection of rare books.

neutral

"Yellow-eyed"

— An older, less common idiom meaning jealous (similar to green-eyed).

He cast a yellow-eyed glance at his rival.

archaic

"Burdened by jealousy"

— To be heavily affected or slowed down by jealous feelings.

Their friendship was burdened by jealousy over career success.

neutral

"Sick with jealousy"

— To feel physically ill or extremely distressed due to jealousy.

He was sick with jealousy thinking about her out with someone else.

informal

"Burning with jealousy"

— Feeling an intense, almost painful level of jealousy.

She was burning with jealousy as she watched them dance.

neutral

"Jealous as a cat"

— An idiom comparing someone's jealousy to the territorial nature of a cat.

She is as jealous as a cat when it comes to her best friend.

informal

"A jealous mistress"

— Something that requires all of your time and attention (like a career or art).

The law is a jealous mistress; you must study day and night.

literary

Facile à confondre

jealous vs envious

They both involve wanting something someone else has.

Envy is a two-person relationship (I want your car). Jealousy usually involves three people (I'm afraid you'll take my friend).

I'm envious of your talent, but I'm jealous of the time you spend with my brother.

jealous vs zealous

They share the same Greek root and sound somewhat similar.

Zealous is positive (enthusiastic); jealous is usually negative (resentful).

He is a zealous worker, but he is jealous of his coworkers' praise.

jealous vs possessive

Jealous people are often possessive.

Possessive describes the desire to control; jealous describes the feeling of insecurity.

His possessive behavior made her feel trapped and him feel jealous.

jealous vs resentful

Jealousy often leads to resentment.

Resentment is the long-term bitterness; jealousy is the immediate emotional reaction.

She was jealous of the award and remained resentful for months.

jealous vs covetous

Both involve a desire for what others have.

Covetous is more formal and implies a greedy desire for physical things.

The covetous merchant was jealous of his rival's gold.

Structures de phrases

I am jealous of [noun].

I am jealous of your cat.

Don't be jealous of [someone].

Don't be jealous of him.

She felt jealous when [clause].

She felt jealous when he called her sister.

He has a [adjective] jealous streak.

He has a quite annoying jealous streak.

To be jealous of [something] is to [verb].

To be jealous of success is to ignore the hard work behind it.

The [noun] was a jealous guardian of [noun].

The professor was a jealous guardian of his research.

It's natural to be jealous of [noun].

It's natural to be jealous of a lottery winner.

[Someone] is very jealous.

My dog is very jealous.

Famille de mots

Noms

jealousy

Adjectifs

jealous

unjealous

Apparenté

zeal

zealous

zealot

envy

resentment

Inscris-toi gratuitement pour voir tous les exemples

Comment l'utiliser

frequency

Very common in both spoken and written English.

Erreurs courantes

I have a jealous. → I am jealous. / I feel jealousy.
You are using the adjective as a noun. Adjectives describe, nouns are things.
She is jealous at her sister. → She is jealous of her sister.
The standard preposition for 'jealous' is 'of'.
I am very jealousy. → I am very jealous.
You are using the noun 'jealousy' where you need the adjective 'jealous'.
He is more jealouser than me. → He is more jealous than me.
Longer adjectives use 'more' for comparison, not the '-er' ending.
Using 'jealous' when you only mean 'sad'. → I am sad that I didn't win.
Jealousy specifically involves wanting what another person has or fearing a rival.

Astuces

Use 'of' not 'at'

Always remember that the correct preposition is 'of'. Saying 'He was jealous at me' is a very common mistake for English learners. Always use 'He was jealous of me'.

Color Associations

In English, the color green is tied to jealousy. Using this association can help you remember the word and understand idioms like 'green with envy'.

Softening the Blow

If you need to tell someone they are acting jealous without being mean, use phrases like 'I think you're feeling a bit protective' or 'It seems like you're comparing yourself'.

Adjective vs Noun

Remember that 'jealous' is an adjective (describes a person) and 'jealousy' is a noun (the name of the feeling). You can't have 'a jealous', but you can have 'jealousy'.

Adding Intensity

To make your writing more vivid, add adverbs like 'bitterly', 'fiercely', or 'secretly' before 'jealous' to show exactly how the person is feeling.

The Jonas Effect

If you like pop music, listen to 'Jealous' by Nick Jonas. It's a great way to hear the word used in a modern, common context many times.

The Schwa Sound

The end of the word '-ous' is a very soft 'uhs' sound. Don't over-pronounce the 'o' or the 'u'. It should be very quick.

Envy vs Jealousy

If you are writing for university, always use 'envious' for objects/talents and 'jealous' for relationships/rivalries to show high-level precision.

J-E-A-L

Just Everyone Always Looks. People who are jealous are always looking at what others have. This can help you remember the first four letters.

Complimenting

Don't be afraid to use 'I'm so jealous!' in a happy voice when a friend tells you something good. It shows you think their news is great!

Mémorise-le

Moyen mnémotechnique

Think of 'J' for 'Just' and 'E' for 'Everyone'—'Just Everyone Always Looks Over Us Secretly'. Or simply link 'Jealous' with 'Jail'—it's a feeling that traps your mind.

Association visuelle

Imagine a bright green eye looking through a keyhole. This connects the color green and the idea of watching someone secretly.

Word Web

Envy Rivalry Insecurity Possessive Green Resentment Relationship Competition

Défi

Try to spend a whole day without using the word 'jealous' to describe yourself. Use words like 'admiring' or 'motivated' instead and see how it changes your mood.

Origine du mot

Derived from the Old French 'jalous', which came from the Late Latin 'zelosus'. It ultimately traces back to the Greek 'zelos' meaning 'zeal, emulation, or jealousy'.

Sens originel : Originally, it meant being full of zeal or devotion, but it shifted toward the negative sense of suspicion and resentment over time.

Indo-European (Hellenic to Italic to Romance to Germanic/English).

Contexte culturel

Be careful when calling someone 'jealous' directly, as it is often taken as an insult regarding their self-esteem.

Commonly used in casual conversation to show admiration ('I'm so jealous!').

Shakespeare's Othello (the classic study of jealousy). Nick Jonas's song 'Jealous'. The Bible: 'For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God'.

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

Romantic Relationships

jealous boyfriend
making him jealous
suspicious and jealous
overcoming jealousy

Siblings and Family

sibling rivalry
jealous of the baby
parents' favorite
feeling left out

Workplace/Career

jealous of the promotion
professional envy
competitive colleagues
resenting success

Social Media

Instagram jealousy
FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out)
comparing lives
perfect lifestyle

Material Possessions

jealous of the car
wanting what they have
expensive taste
keeping up with the Joneses

Amorces de conversation

"Have you ever felt jealous of a friend's success? How did you handle it?"

"Do you think social media makes people more jealous than they used to be?"

"In your opinion, is a little bit of jealousy healthy in a relationship?"

"What is the best way to react when someone is clearly jealous of you?"

"Can you name a movie character who was driven by being jealous?"

Sujets d'écriture

Write about a time you felt jealous of someone. What did you actually want that they had?

Reflect on how your feelings of jealousy have changed from when you were a child to now.

Describe a situation where someone was jealous of you. How did it make you feel and how did you act?

If you could never feel jealous again, how would your life change? Would you lose your motivation?

Analyze a famous story (like Cinderella or Othello) through the lens of being jealous.

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

The most common and correct form is 'jealous of'. You are 'jealous of someone' or 'jealous of something'. You only use 'to' if it's followed by a verb, such as 'He was jealous to see them together', but this is less common.

Yes, in common English, we often describe animals as jealous. For example, a dog might be 'jealous' if you pet another dog. Scientists debate if animals feel the same complex emotion, but the word is used this way frequently.

Strictly speaking, you are envious of what you don't have and jealous of what you might lose. However, in modern English, most people use 'jealous' for both situations. In formal writing, try to keep them separate.

Not necessarily. In small amounts, it can show that you value a relationship or are motivated to improve yourself. However, 'jealous' usually has a negative connotation because it involves unhappiness or anger.

The noun form is 'jealousy' (J-E-A-L-O-U-S-Y). Note that the 'u' remains, unlike some other word transformations in English.

Usually, no. 'Jealous for someone' is a rare, archaic, or religious construction meaning you are protective of them. In 99% of cases, you should say 'jealous of someone'.

It is a famous idiom for jealousy. It suggests that jealousy is a monster that eats the person who feels it, and 'green' is a color associated with sickness and envy.

It is slang. Young people often say 'I'm so jelly' instead of 'I'm so jealous'. It is very informal and should not be used in school or work writing.

A 'streak' is a part of someone's character. If someone has a 'jealous streak', it means they are prone to feeling jealous quite often, even if they aren't jealous all the time.

This is more of a life question, but linguistically, focusing on 'admiration' or 'gratitude'—the antonyms—can help reframe the feeling. Instead of saying 'I'm jealous of her success', try 'I admire her success'.

Inscris-toi gratuitement pour les astuces et notes