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A1 noun #285 सबसे आम 16 मिनट पढ़ने का समय

envious

शीर्ष 285

At the A1 level, 'envious' is a word you use when you want something that another person has. Imagine your friend has a very cool toy, and you don't have one. You feel a little sad because you want that toy too. That feeling is called being envious. It is a very common feeling for everyone. You can say, 'I am envious of your toy.' It is like saying 'I want your toy.' In A1, we use simple sentences to talk about things we see, like clothes, toys, or food. If your sister has a big ice cream and you have a small one, you might feel envious. It is important to remember the word 'of' after envious. We always say 'envious of' something. You don't need to worry about complex feelings yet; just think of it as 'wanting what someone else has.' This word helps you express your feelings to your friends and family in a simple way. Even though it is a long word, it is very useful for talking about what you like and what you wish you had.

At the A2 level, you can start using 'envious' to describe more than just physical objects. You might be envious of someone's skills or their situation. For example, if your friend speaks English very well, you might be envious of their ability. You are learning to use 'envious' with different verbs like 'feel' or 'look.' You might say, 'He looked envious when I showed him my new bike.' This level also involves understanding that 'envious' is an adjective. You can use it to describe a person, like 'an envious person,' but it is more common to describe how someone feels in a specific moment. You should also start to notice that 'envious' is different from 'happy.' It is a feeling of wanting something for yourself. You can practice by making sentences about your friends' hobbies or their school grades. For example, 'I am envious of her good grades.' It is a step up from A1 because you are talking about things you cannot touch, like grades or skills.

At the B1 level, you should be able to use 'envious' in more complex sentence structures and understand its social nuances. You can use adverbs to show how much envy someone feels, such as 'quite envious' or 'a bit envious.' You are also becoming aware of the difference between 'envious' and 'jealous,' even if people sometimes use them the same way. At this level, you might use 'envious' in a work or school context. For instance, 'The other students were envious of his scholarship.' You can also use it to describe a general state of being, like 'She has an envious nature,' meaning she often wants what others have. You should be comfortable using 'envious of' followed by a gerund (an -ing verb), like 'I am envious of him having so much free time.' This shows a higher level of grammatical control. You might also encounter the word in stories or news articles about famous people, where the public is 'envious of their lifestyle.'

At the B2 level, you can use 'envious' to discuss more abstract and psychological concepts. You understand that envy can be a motivation for self-improvement or a source of conflict. You might use the word in an essay to describe social dynamics: 'The economic disparity made the lower class envious of the elite's wealth.' You are also familiar with idiomatic expressions like 'green with envy.' At this level, you should be able to distinguish between 'benign envy' (which can be positive) and 'malicious envy' (which is negative), even if you don't use those exact terms. You can use 'envious' in formal writing and understand its placement in complex sentences, such as 'Being envious of others' success can often hinder one's own progress.' You also recognize that 'envious' can be used in a complimentary way in business, such as a company being in an 'envious position.' Your vocabulary is broad enough to choose 'envious' over 'jealous' when you want to be more precise about the desire for possessions or status.

At the C1 level, your use of 'envious' is sophisticated and precise. You understand the deep psychological and philosophical implications of the word. You might use it to analyze literature, noting how a character's 'envious gaze' drives the plot forward. You are comfortable using 'envious' in a variety of registers, from casual conversation to academic papers. You can discuss the 'envious' nature of societal structures and how they foster competition. You also know related words like 'covetous,' 'begrudging,' and 'resentful,' and you can choose the exact word that fits the context. For example, you might write, 'His envious disposition was masked by a thin veil of professional courtesy.' You understand the historical context of envy as a 'deadly sin' and can use this knowledge to add depth to your writing. You are also adept at using the word metaphorically, such as 'The small town was envious of the city's relentless energy.' Your mastery of the word includes its collocations, such as 'envious glance,' 'deeply envious,' and 'envious of the fact that...'

At the C2 level, you have a complete and nuanced command of 'envious.' You can use it to explore the most subtle aspects of human emotion and social interaction. You might engage in philosophical debates about whether being 'envious' is an inherent part of the human condition or a product of specific cultural environments. Your writing might include complex reflections like, 'The protagonist's envious resentment was not merely a desire for the other's wealth, but a fundamental rejection of his own existential limitations.' You understand the word's etymology from the Latin 'invidiosus' and how its meaning has evolved over centuries. You can use 'envious' in highly formal, academic, or literary contexts with absolute confidence. You are also aware of how 'envious' is used in specialized fields like psychoanalysis or behavioral economics to describe specific types of social comparison. You can manipulate the word and its family (envy, enviously, unenvious) to create rhythm and tone in your prose. At this level, 'envious' is not just a vocabulary word; it is a tool for profound expression and analysis.

इसका अभ्यास करें उदाहरण नोट्स और सुझाव

envious 30 सेकंड में

Envious is an adjective describing the desire for someone else's possessions, status, or luck.
It is primarily used in the pattern 'envious of someone/something' to show the target of the feeling.
While often confused with 'jealous,' envy specifically focuses on wanting what you do not currently have.
The word can be used playfully as a compliment or seriously to describe a negative character trait.

The word envious is a powerful adjective that describes a complex human emotion. At its core, being envious means you feel a sense of discontent or resentment because you covet someone else's advantages, possessions, or luck. It is that 'stinging' feeling you get when you see a friend post a photo of their brand-new car or hear about a colleague's promotion. While it is often confused with jealousy, envy is specifically about wanting what someone else has, rather than fearing that someone will take what you already possess. In social psychology, this is often linked to 'social comparison theory,' where individuals determine their own social and personal worth based on how they stack up against others. When we feel envious, we are essentially looking at a perceived gap between our current state and the state of someone we admire or compete with. This emotion can be 'benign,' where it motivates us to improve ourselves, or 'malicious,' where we wish the other person would lose what they have.

Emotional Root: The feeling of longing for another's circumstances or assets.
Social Context: Commonly triggered by social media, workplace competition, and academic achievements.

She couldn't help but feel envious of her brother's ability to travel the world while she worked long hours at the office.

In modern conversation, 'envious' is used to describe both deep-seated resentment and lighthearted admiration. For instance, if a friend tells you they are going to Hawaii, you might say, 'I'm so envious!' in a way that actually means 'I'm happy for you, but I wish I were going too.' This lighter usage has become very common in the age of Instagram and TikTok, where 'lifestyle envy' is a documented phenomenon. However, in more formal or literary contexts, being envious often carries a more negative connotation, suggesting a character flaw or a lack of gratitude for one's own life. Philosophers like Nietzsche and Kant have written extensively about envy, viewing it as a reactive emotion that can lead to 'ressentiment' if not properly processed. Understanding the nuance of this word requires recognizing the subtle shift between 'I want that too' and 'I wish you didn't have that.'

The young artist was envious of the master's effortless brushstrokes and perfect color composition.

Psychological Impact: Can lead to decreased self-esteem or, conversely, serve as a catalyst for personal growth.

Historically, envy was considered one of the 'Seven Deadly Sins' in Christian theology, highlighting its perceived potential to destroy community bonds and personal peace. When we describe someone as an 'envious person,' we are usually implying that they have a habitual tendency to look at others with a begrudging eye. This person might struggle to celebrate the success of others because they view life as a zero-sum game—if you win, they feel they have lost. In contrast, 'envious' can also be used in a purely descriptive sense without moral judgment. For example, a scientist might be envious of a colleague's access to better laboratory equipment. In this case, the word simply identifies a desire for a specific resource that would aid in their own work. It is important to distinguish between the feeling (the adjective 'envious') and the action (the verb 'to envy').

His envious nature made it difficult for him to maintain long-term friendships with successful people.

Many people are envious of those who can eat whatever they want without gaining weight.

Common Synonyms: Covetous, resentful, begrudging, green-eyed, desirous.

To summarize, 'envious' is a versatile word that covers a spectrum from playful desire to toxic resentment. It describes the state of looking outward and seeing something desirable that we lack. Whether we are talking about a child envious of a sibling's toy or a professional envious of a rival's accolades, the word captures the fundamental human experience of comparing our lives to those around us. By using 'envious' correctly, you can articulate complex feelings about ambition, social standing, and personal desire with precision and clarity.

The neighbors were envious of the pristine garden that the Smiths maintained so meticulously.

Using the word envious correctly involves understanding its grammatical structure and the prepositions that typically accompany it. Most commonly, 'envious' functions as a predicative adjective, meaning it follows a linking verb like 'be,' 'feel,' or 'become.' The standard construction is [Subject] + [Linking Verb] + envious + of + [Object of Envy]. For example, 'Mark was envious of Sarah's promotion.' In this sentence, 'Mark' is the person feeling the emotion, and 'Sarah's promotion' is the thing he wants. It is rare to see 'envious' used without 'of' unless the context has already been established. For instance, you might say, 'He saw her new car and felt envious,' where the object of envy (the car) is implied by the previous clause.

Standard Pattern: Subject + to be + envious + of + noun/pronoun.
Attributive Use: An envious [noun], e.g., 'an envious glance' or 'an envious person.'

The athlete gave an envious look at his competitor's gold medal during the ceremony.

Another important aspect of using 'envious' is choosing the right intensity. Adverbs can help clarify whether the feeling is mild or overwhelming. You might be 'slightly envious' of a friend's weekend plans, or you might be 'bitterly envious' of a rival's lifelong success. Other common intensifiers include 'deeply,' 'secretly,' 'openly,' and 'painfully.' For example, 'She was secretly envious of her sister's natural beauty.' This adds a layer of characterization, suggesting that she hides her feelings to maintain a positive relationship. Conversely, 'He was openly envious' suggests that his feelings are obvious to everyone around him, perhaps manifesting as snide comments or visible frustration.

I am envious of your ability to stay calm under such immense pressure.

In more formal writing, 'envious' can be used to describe inanimate objects or abstract concepts in a metaphorical sense, though this is less common. For example, 'The small town was envious of the city's bright lights and constant activity.' Here, the word personifies the town to express a collective desire for change or excitement. In academic or psychological writing, 'envious' is often used to describe a specific type of social dynamic. 'The study found that participants were more envious of peers who were similar to them in age and background.' This usage is precise and clinical, focusing on the emotion as a measurable variable in human behavior.

It is natural to feel envious when you see others achieving the goals you have set for yourself.

Negative Connotation: 'His envious comments ruined the celebratory atmosphere of the dinner party.'
Positive/Neutral Connotation: 'I'm so envious of your new kitchen; it looks absolutely stunning!'

When writing, consider the 'voice' of the sentence. Using 'envious' can make a sentence feel more sophisticated than using 'jealous.' For instance, 'The envious courtiers plotted against the king' sounds more like a classic novel, whereas 'The jealous courtiers' might imply they were worried the king liked someone else more. By choosing 'envious,' you focus the reader's attention on the material or social gains that the characters desire. Finally, remember that 'envious' is the adjective, 'envy' is the noun and verb, and 'enviously' is the adverb. 'He looked enviously at the cake' (adverb). 'He felt envy' (noun). 'He envied her' (verb). 'He was envious' (adjective).

The company's competitors were envious of its rapid growth and loyal customer base.

Don't be envious of what others have; focus on building your own success.

The word envious appears in a wide variety of contexts, from everyday casual conversations to high-level academic discourse and classic literature. In the modern world, one of the most common places you will encounter the concept of being envious is on social media platforms. Platforms like Instagram are often criticized for creating an 'envy trap,' where users see the highlight reels of others' lives and feel envious of their vacations, bodies, or lifestyles. You might hear an influencer say, 'I know it's easy to feel envious of these photos, but remember that my life isn't perfect.' In this context, the word is used to address a widespread social feeling that many people experience daily. It is a key term in discussions about mental health and the digital age.

Social Media: Often used in discussions about 'FOMO' (Fear Of Missing Out) and lifestyle comparisons.
Workplace: Heard in conversations about promotions, salary increases, and office perks.

The documentary explored how social media makes teenagers feel envious of unrealistic beauty standards.

In literature and film, 'envious' is a staple for describing character motivations. Villains are frequently motivated by being envious of the hero's power, love, or goodness. For example, in many versions of the 'Snow White' story, the Evil Queen is envious of Snow White's beauty. In Shakespeare's 'Othello,' Iago's actions are driven by a deep, envious resentment of Cassio's promotion and Othello's status. When you read classic novels or watch dramas, pay attention to how characters describe their desires; 'envious' is often the word used to signal a turning point in a character's moral journey. It provides a more sophisticated way to describe a character's internal struggle than simply saying they are 'mad' or 'sad.'

The film portrays a struggling musician who is envious of his best friend's sudden rise to fame.

You will also hear 'envious' in professional and academic settings. In business, a company might be described as being in an 'envious position' if it has a market monopoly or a highly desirable product. This is a positive, almost complimentary use of the word, suggesting that others naturally want what that company has achieved. In psychology and sociology, researchers use 'envious' to categorize behaviors and emotional responses in studies about wealth inequality or peer dynamics. For instance, a paper might state, 'Participants reported feeling more envious when the target of comparison was a close friend rather than a stranger.' This shows the word's utility in describing specific, measurable human interactions.

With its high profit margins and low overhead, the tech firm is the envious target of many larger corporations.

News & Media: Used to describe competitive advantages or desirable states in politics and finance.
Literature: A key descriptor for character flaws, motivations, and internal conflict.

Finally, in everyday life, you'll hear 'envious' used as a polite way to acknowledge someone's good fortune. If someone tells you they just bought a beautiful house, saying 'I'm so envious!' is a common social script. It acknowledges the value of what they have while simultaneously expressing your own appreciation for it. In this sense, it functions as a bridge between two people, allowing them to share in the excitement of a positive event. Whether it's used to describe a deep psychological state or a casual social compliment, 'envious' is a word that resonates because it touches on a universal part of the human experience: the desire for more and the habit of looking at our neighbors to see how we're doing.

I'm quite envious of your garden; I can never seem to keep my plants alive for more than a week.

The small nation was envious of its neighbor's vast natural resources and economic stability.

One of the most frequent mistakes people make when using the word envious is confusing it with the word 'jealous.' While they are often used as synonyms in casual conversation, they have distinct meanings in precise English. Envy is a two-party emotion: you want what someone else has. Jealousy is a three-party emotion: you are afraid that someone will take away something (or someone) that you already have. For example, you are envious of your friend's new phone, but you are jealous when you see your partner flirting with someone else. Using 'jealous' when you mean 'envious' is so common that it is often accepted, but using 'envious' when you mean 'jealous' sounds quite strange and is technically incorrect.

Envious vs. Jealous: Envy = I want what you have. Jealousy = I'm afraid you'll take what I have.
Preposition Error: Incorrect: 'envious to' or 'envious about.' Correct: 'envious of.'

Mistake: He was envious about his friend's success. Correction: He was envious of his friend's success.

Another common error involves the preposition that follows 'envious.' Many learners mistakenly use 'about,' 'to,' or 'for.' However, 'envious' almost exclusively takes the preposition 'of.' For instance, 'She was envious of his talent' is correct, while 'She was envious for his talent' is not. This is a fixed collocation that you should memorize. Additionally, people sometimes use the noun 'envy' when they should use the adjective 'envious.' For example, saying 'I am envy of you' is incorrect; it should be 'I am envious of you' or 'I feel envy toward you.' Keeping the parts of speech clear is essential for grammatical accuracy.

Mistake: I am so envy of your trip! Correction: I am so envious of your trip!

A more subtle mistake is failing to match the tone of 'envious' to the context. As mentioned before, 'envious' can be playful or serious. If you use a very heavy, serious tone for a minor thing, it might come across as weirdly intense. Conversely, if you use it too lightly in a situation where someone is genuinely suffering from resentment, it might seem dismissive. Another mistake is overusing the word. In English, there are many ways to express desire or admiration. If you use 'envious' every time you like something someone else has, your vocabulary will seem limited. Try alternatives like 'covetous' for material things, 'resentful' for unfair advantages, or simply 'I admire your...' for a positive spin.

The critic's envious tone was obvious in his scathing review of the young author's bestseller.

Misusing 'Envious' as a Noun: 'Envious' is an adjective. The noun form is 'envy.' You cannot have 'an envious' for something.
Confusing with 'Admiring': Envious implies a desire to possess it yourself; admiring simply means you think it is good.

Finally, watch out for spelling. 'Envious' is often misspelled as 'enveous' or 'envyous' because of its relationship to the word 'envy.' Remember that the 'y' changes to an 'i' before adding the '-ous' suffix. This is a common pattern in English (like 'glory' to 'glorious' or 'fury' to 'furious'). By avoiding these common pitfalls—the envy/jealousy confusion, the preposition errors, and the spelling mistakes—you will be able to use 'envious' with the confidence of a native speaker.

It is a mistake to think that being envious is always a bad thing; it can sometimes show you what you truly value.

She was envious of her friend's calm demeanor during the stressful exam period.

While envious is a great general-purpose word, English offers many alternatives that can provide more specific shades of meaning. Depending on the intensity and the context of the feeling, you might choose a different term to more accurately describe the situation. For example, if the envy is particularly strong and involves a desire for material wealth, the word covetous is a powerful alternative. 'Covetous' often appears in legal or religious contexts, implying a greedy or illicit desire for something that belongs to another. It suggests a more active, grasping kind of envy than the relatively passive 'envious.'

Covetous: Stronger than envious; implies a greedy desire to possess something belonging to another.
Resentful: Focuses on the feeling of unfairness or bitterness associated with someone else's success.

The covetous merchant spent his nights dreaming of his rival's vast spice collection.

If the feeling of being envious is mixed with a sense of anger or a belief that the other person doesn't deserve their success, resentful or begrudging might be better choices. 'Resentful' highlights the bitterness and the feeling of being treated unfairly. 'Begrudging' suggests that you give someone credit or praise only very reluctantly because you are envious of them. For example, 'He gave a begrudging compliment to the winner.' This tells the reader that the person is envious and is struggling to be polite. Another interesting alternative is jaundiced, which metaphorically describes a view that is distorted by envy or prejudice, as if seen through yellowed eyes.

She felt resentful of the fact that her colleague received a bonus for a project they had worked on together.

On the more informal side, you might use the idiom green with envy. This is a very common way to express that someone is extremely envious. The color green has been associated with envy and jealousy for centuries (think of the 'green-eyed monster'). In very casual slang, people sometimes say they are 'salty' about someone's success, which implies a mix of envy and irritation. However, 'salty' is much broader and less precise than 'envious.' For a more literary feel, you could use desirous, though it is often followed by 'of' and can refer to any kind of strong wish, not just one based on what others have.

When he saw the shiny new bicycle, he was green with envy.

Begrudging: To envy someone the possession or enjoyment of something.
Jaundiced: Affected by envy, resentment, or hostility, altering one's perception.

When choosing between these words, consider the relationship between the people and the nature of the thing being envied. Use 'envious' for a general feeling of wanting what another has. Use 'covetous' for intense material greed. Use 'resentful' when there's a sense of injustice. Use 'green with envy' for a vivid, idiomatic description. By expanding your vocabulary beyond just 'envious,' you can describe the human heart with much greater detail and emotional resonance.

The begrudging applause from the audience showed that many were envious of the winner's luck.

He took a jaundiced view of his friend's success, assuming it was all due to luck rather than hard work.

How Formal Is It?

औपचारिक

तटस्थ

अनौपचारिक

Child friendly

बोलचाल

रोचक तथ्य

The root 'videre' (to see) is the same root for words like 'vision' and 'video.' This suggests that envy is fundamentally about 'looking' at what others have.

उच्चारण मार्गदर्शिका

UK /ˈɛn.vi.əs/

US /ˈɛn.vi.əs/

The primary stress is on the first syllable: EN-vi-ous.

तुकबंदी

previous devious impervious obvious dubious serious curious furious

आम गलतियाँ

Pronouncing the 'y' from 'envy' too strongly as 'ee-ous'.
Putting the stress on the second syllable: en-VI-ous.
Mispronouncing the 'ous' as 'ow-ss'.
Adding an extra syllable: en-vi-i-ous.
Confusing the 'v' sound with a 'b' sound in some languages.

कठिनाई स्तर

पठन 2/5

The word is common in literature and news, making it easy to recognize.

लिखना 3/5

Requires correct spelling (changing y to i) and the correct preposition 'of'.

बोलना 2/5

Commonly used in social scripts, so it is easy to practice.

श्रवण 2/5

The pronunciation is straightforward with clear syllables.

आगे क्या सीखें

पूर्वापेक्षाएँ

want happy sad friend have

आगे सीखें

jealous covetous resentful admire possess

उन्नत

ressentiment malicious benign zero-sum disparity

ज़रूरी व्याकरण

Adjective + Preposition Collocation

envious OF (not for, to, or about).

Spelling: Y to I

envy -> envious (similar to glory -> glorious).

Linking Verbs

She LOOKS envious. He FEELS envious. They ARE envious.

Adverbs of Degree

EXTREMELY envious, SLIGHTLY envious, QUITE envious.

Noun vs Adjective

I feel ENVY (noun). I am ENVIOUS (adjective).

स्तर के अनुसार उदाहरण

I am envious of your new pen.

I want your pen.

Uses 'envious of' + noun.

She is envious of my red hat.

She wants my hat.

Subject-verb agreement: 'She is'.

Are you envious of his big dog?

Do you want his dog?

Question form with 'Are you'.

He is envious of her ice cream.

He wants her ice cream.

Simple adjective use.

They are envious of our small house.

They want our house.

Plural subject 'They are'.

I feel envious of your bike.

I want your bike.

Using 'feel' instead of 'be'.

Don't be envious of my toys.

Don't want my toys.

Imperative negative form.

The cat is envious of the bird.

The cat wants what the bird has (freedom/flight).

Personification of an animal.

He was envious of his friend's high grades.

He wanted the same good marks.

Past tense 'was envious'.

She felt envious of her sister's long hair.

She wished her hair was long too.

Adjective describing a physical trait.

Many people are envious of famous actors.

People want the life of actors.

General statement about a group.

I am envious of your ability to sing.

I wish I could sing like you.

Envious of a skill/ability.

The little boy looked envious of the older kids.

He wanted to be like the big kids.

'Looked' as a linking verb.

We were envious of their beautiful garden.

We wanted a garden like theirs.

Plural past tense.

She is not envious of her brother's success.

She is happy for him.

Negative form 'is not'.

Why are you so envious of my new phone?

What is the reason for your envy?

Interrogative with 'Why'.

I'm a bit envious of how easily you make friends.

I wish I could make friends as easily as you.

Using 'a bit' as a modifier.

She was secretly envious of her colleague's promotion.

She didn't show that she wanted the promotion.

Using the adverb 'secretly'.

The other teams were envious of our winning streak.

They wanted to win like we did.

Collective noun 'teams'.

He felt envious of the way she could speak five languages.

He admired and wanted her linguistic skills.

Envious of 'the way' someone does something.

It's easy to be envious of people who travel all the time.

Many people feel this way about travelers.

Impersonal 'It's easy to be'.

She gave him an envious look when he opened his gift.

Her face showed she wanted the gift.

Attributive use: 'envious look'.

I've always been envious of your confidence.

Your confidence is something I want.

Present perfect 'have always been'.

They were envious of the fact that we lived so close to the beach.

Our location made them feel envious.

Envious of 'the fact that'.

The company is in the envious position of having no debt.

Other companies want to be in this debt-free state.

Idiomatic 'envious position'.

He was deeply envious of his rival's creative genius.

He felt a strong desire for his rival's talent.

Using 'deeply' as an intensifier.

She tried not to sound envious when she congratulated him.

She wanted to sound genuinely happy, not resentful.

Infinitive 'not to sound'.

The neighbors were envious of the Smiths' lavish lifestyle.

They wanted the expensive things the Smiths had.

Describing a social class dynamic.

Being envious of others can prevent you from enjoying your own life.

Envy has negative consequences for the person feeling it.

Gerund 'Being envious' as a subject.

He cast an envious glance at the luxury yacht in the harbor.

He looked at the boat with desire.

Collocation 'cast an envious glance'.

She was envious of the freedom her friend had to work from home.

She wanted the same work-life balance.

Envious of an abstract concept (freedom).

The younger siblings were often envious of the eldest's privileges.

They wanted the rights the oldest child had.

Plural subject with 'were often'.

The critic's review was tinged with an envious bitterness.

The review showed he was resentful of the author's success.

Using 'tinged with' to describe the tone.

She was painfully envious of the effortless grace with which he navigated social situations.

His social skills made her feel very inadequate and desirous.

Complex sentence with 'with which'.

The startup's rapid acquisition left its competitors feeling both envious and threatened.

The competitors wanted the success but also feared it.

Coordinating adjectives 'envious and threatened'.

It is a common human failing to be envious of those who possess what we lack.

Humans naturally want what they don't have.

Formal 'It is a... to be...' structure.

His envious nature was a well-kept secret, hidden behind a mask of indifference.

He pretended not to care, but he was actually very envious.

Metaphorical 'mask of indifference'.

The academic was envious of the widespread acclaim his former student had received.

The teacher wanted the fame the student now had.

Describing a specific professional relationship.

She found herself becoming envious of the simple, uncomplicated lives of the villagers.

Their easy life made her want to change her own.

Reflexive 'found herself becoming'.

The nation's leaders were envious of the technological advancements made by their neighbors.

They wanted the same technology for their own country.

Political/Geopolitical context.

The protagonist's descent into madness was catalyzed by an envious obsession with his brother's inheritance.

His strong desire for the money led to his mental breakdown.

Passive voice 'was catalyzed by'.

Schopenhauer argued that an envious person is made miserable not by their own lack, but by another's abundance.

The focus of envy is on the other person's wealth, not one's own poverty.

Quoting/Referencing philosophical thought.

The societal structure fostered an envious milieu where success was viewed with suspicion rather than admiration.

The environment made people resentful of those who did well.

Using advanced vocabulary like 'milieu'.

He was not so much envious of the wealth itself as he was of the status it conferred.

The social position was more important to him than the money.

Comparative 'not so much... as...'.

The prose was rich with envious undertones, suggesting the narrator's deep-seated resentment.

The writing style hinted at the narrator's envy.

Literary analysis terminology.

To be envious of a phantom is the ultimate exercise in futility.

Wanting something that isn't real is a waste of time.

Abstract, aphoristic statement.

The diplomat had to navigate the envious rivalries that simmered beneath the surface of the international summit.

He dealt with hidden competitions between countries.

Metaphorical 'simmered beneath the surface'.

The artist's later works reflect an envious dialogue with the masters of the Renaissance.

His art was a response to his desire to match the great artists of the past.

Using 'dialogue' in an artistic/conceptual sense.

समानार्थी शब्द

jealous covetous resentful grudging green-eyed

विलोम शब्द

content satisfied generous

सामान्य शब्द संयोजन

envious of

deeply envious

envious glance

envious look

secretly envious

bitterly envious

envious position

openly envious

envious nature

slightly envious

सामान्य वाक्यांश

I'm so envious!

an envious eye

make someone envious

feel envious

look envious

become envious

envious of the fact that

hard not to be envious

an envious heart

nothing to be envious of

अक्सर इससे भ्रम होता है

envious vs jealous

Envy is wanting what someone else has; jealousy is fearing you will lose what you have.

envious vs admiring

Admiration is positive and doesn't necessarily involve wanting the thing for yourself; envy involves desire.

envious vs covetous

Covetous is a much stronger, often greedier form of envy, usually for material wealth.

मुहावरे और अभिव्यक्तियाँ

"green with envy"

To be extremely envious of someone.

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

informal

"the green-eyed monster"

A personification of envy or jealousy.

The green-eyed monster reared its head when he saw his ex with someone new.

literary

"eat one's heart out"

To suffer from envy or jealousy, often used as a taunt.

I'm going to Hawaii, so eat your heart out!

informal

"keep up with the Joneses"

To try to have the same possessions and lifestyle as one's neighbors because of envy.

They are always buying new things just to keep up with the Joneses.

neutral

"sour grapes"

Pretending to dislike something because you are envious and cannot have it.

He said he didn't want the job anyway, but it was just sour grapes.

neutral

"burst with envy"

To be so envious that it is hard to contain the feeling.

She was almost bursting with envy when she heard about his lottery win.

informal

"sick with envy"

To feel physically ill or very upset because of strong envy.

He was sick with envy seeing his rival take the stage.

informal

"cast an envious eye"

To look at something with desire.

Many countries cast an envious eye on their neighbor's oil reserves.

neutral

"begrudge someone's success"

To feel envious and think that someone does not deserve their success.

You shouldn't begrudge him his success; he worked hard for it.

neutral

"dog in the manger"

A person who prevents others from having something they want, even though they don't want it themselves (often driven by envy).

Don't be a dog in the manger; let her use the bike if you're not using it.

literary

आसानी से भ्रमित होने वाले

envious vs jealous

They both involve negative feelings about what others have or do.

Envy is a two-person emotion (I want what you have). Jealousy is a three-person emotion (I'm afraid you'll take what is mine).

I am envious of your car. I am jealous of your new friend.

envious vs enviable

They share the same root.

Envious describes the person feeling the envy. Enviable describes the thing that causes the envy (it is desirable).

He is envious of her enviable position in the company.

envious vs resentful

Envy often leads to resentment.

Envious focuses on the desire for the object. Resentful focuses on the anger or sense of injustice about the situation.

He was envious of the prize and resentful that he didn't win it.

envious vs grudging

Both involve a lack of generosity toward others' success.

Envious is the feeling. Grudging describes an action (like giving praise) done with that feeling.

He gave an envious look and a grudging compliment.

envious vs desirous

Both involve wanting something.

Desirous is more general and can be positive or neutral. Envious specifically involves wanting what someone else has.

He was desirous of peace. He was envious of his neighbor's peace.

वाक्य संरचनाएँ

I am envious of [noun].

I am envious of your cat.

[Name] was envious of [noun].

Tom was envious of his friend's car.

She felt envious of [gerund phrase].

She felt envious of him having so much money.

It is hard not to be envious of [noun phrase].

It is hard not to be envious of their success.

[Subject] was [adverb] envious of [noun phrase].

He was painfully envious of his brother's natural talent.

[Gerund phrase] can make one feel envious.

Seeing others achieve their dreams can make one feel envious.

General

An envious [noun]...

An envious glance was all it took to show her feelings.

Formal

The [noun] was in an envious position.

The company was in an envious position regarding its competitors.

शब्द परिवार

संज्ञा

क्रिया

विशेषण

इसे कैसे इस्तेमाल करें

frequency

Common in both written and spoken English.

सामान्य गलतियाँ

I am envious to your car. → I am envious of your car.
The adjective 'envious' must be followed by the preposition 'of'.
He felt very envy. → He felt very envious.
Use the adjective 'envious' to describe a feeling, or the noun 'envy' without 'very' (e.g., 'He felt great envy').
She was jealous of his new phone. → She was envious of his new phone.
Technically, you are envious of things you don't have. Jealousy is for things you are afraid to lose.
I am envyous of you. → I am envious of you.
The 'y' in 'envy' changes to an 'i' when adding the suffix '-ous'.
The envious of the neighbors was obvious. → The envy of the neighbors was obvious.
You cannot use 'envious' as a noun. Use 'envy' instead.

सुझाव

Always use 'of'

The most important rule for 'envious' is to pair it with 'of'. 'She was envious of his luck.' This is a fixed pattern that native speakers always follow.

Envious vs. Enviable

Don't confuse these two. 'Envious' is how you feel. 'Enviable' is a quality of the thing you want. 'He has an enviable job, and I am envious of him.'

Using it as a compliment

In casual English, you can say 'I'm so envious!' to mean 'That's so cool!' It's a way to acknowledge someone's good fortune without sounding bitter.

Show, don't just tell

Instead of just saying a character is envious, describe their 'envious glance' or how they 'looked enviously' at something. It makes your writing more vivid.

Benign vs. Malicious

Remember that envy isn't always bad. Benign envy can inspire you to work harder. Malicious envy makes you want the other person to fail. Use the word to explore these differences.

The 'Y' to 'I' rule

When turning the noun 'envy' into the adjective 'envious', always change the 'y' to an 'i'. This is a very common spelling pattern in English adjectives.

Formal contexts

In formal reports, 'envious' is a precise way to describe competitive dynamics between companies or nations. It sounds professional and objective.

Green with envy

Use this idiom to add color to your speech. It's very common and everyone will understand that you mean someone is very, very envious.

Listen for the stress

The stress is on the first syllable. If you hear someone say 'en-VI-ous', they are likely mispronouncing it. Correct stress helps you sound more natural.

Evil Eye

In some cultures, being envious is considered dangerous. Understanding the 'Evil Eye' can help you understand why some people might be uncomfortable with envious comments.

याद करें

स्मृति सहायक

Think of 'EN-V-I-OUS'. 'EN' sounds like 'In'. 'V' is for 'View'. 'I' is for 'I'. 'OUS' is 'Us'. So, 'In my view, I want what you have, not us.' Or simply: 'EN-V' sounds like the letters 'N-V', which stands for 'New Vehicle'—something you might be envious of!

दृश्य संबंध

Imagine a person with bright green eyes looking through a window at a neighbor's beautiful, shiny new car. The green eyes represent the 'green with envy' idiom.

Word Web

envy want others success possessions green resentment comparison

चैलेंज

Try to use the word 'envious' three times today: once as a compliment to a friend, once to describe a character in a movie, and once to talk about a goal you have.

शब्द की उत्पत्ति

The word 'envious' comes from the Old French word 'envieus,' which was derived from the Latin 'invidiosus.' This Latin term comes from 'invidia,' meaning envy, which in turn comes from the verb 'invidere.'

मूल अर्थ: In Latin, 'invidere' literally meant 'to look askance at' or 'to look maliciously upon.' It combined 'in-' (upon) and 'videre' (to see).

Indo-European > Italic > Romance > French > English.

सांस्कृतिक संदर्भ

Be careful when calling someone 'an envious person' as it is a strong criticism of their character.

In the UK and US, 'I'm so envious' is often used as a polite, positive way to say 'That's great, I wish I had that too.'

The Evil Queen in Snow White (envious of beauty). Iago in Shakespeare's Othello (envious of rank). Salieri in the movie Amadeus (envious of Mozart's talent).

असल ज़िंदगी में अभ्यास करें

वास्तविक संदर्भ

Social Media

envious of their vacation
lifestyle envy
social comparison
FOMO

Workplace

envious of the promotion
salary envy
office politics
competitive environment

Family/Siblings

envious of the attention
sibling rivalry
parental favoritism
childhood envy

School/Academics

envious of the grades
scholarship envy
intellectual competition
peer pressure

Relationships

envious of their happiness
romantic envy
friendship dynamics
social status

बातचीत की शुरुआत

"Have you ever felt envious of a character in a book or movie?"

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

"Is it possible for being envious to actually motivate someone to work harder?"

"What is something you are slightly envious of right now?"

"How do you handle it when you feel envious of a close friend?"

डायरी विषय

Describe a time you felt envious of someone. What did they have that you wanted, and how did you deal with that feeling?

Write about the difference between being envious and being inspired. Can one turn into the other?

If you could have one quality or skill that you are currently envious of in others, what would it be and why?

Reflect on a time someone was envious of you. How did it affect your relationship with them?

Do you believe that a society without envy is possible, or is it a fundamental part of being human?

अक्सर पूछे जाने वाले सवाल

10 सवाल

Not necessarily. While it can describe a negative feeling like resentment, it is also used as a lighthearted compliment in social situations. For example, saying 'I'm so envious of your trip!' is a common way to show you think the trip sounds great.

No, the correct preposition is almost always 'of.' You should say 'envious of her success' rather than 'envious for her success.' Using the wrong preposition is a common mistake for English learners.

Envy is when you want something someone else has (like a car). Jealousy is when you are afraid someone will take something you already have (like a partner's affection). In casual speech, people use them interchangeably, but they are different.

The adverb form is 'enviously.' You simply add '-ly' to the adjective 'envious.' For example: 'He looked enviously at the delicious cake on the table.'

Yes, it is often used in the phrase 'envious position' to describe a company that has a great advantage that others want. For example: 'The tech giant is in the envious position of having no real competitors.'

Common synonyms include covetous, resentful, begrudging, and green-eyed. 'Covetous' is more formal and greedy, while 'resentful' implies a sense of unfairness. 'Green-eyed' is mostly used in the idiom 'green-eyed monster.'

In a metaphorical sense, yes. We often describe pets as being envious of each other's food or attention. For example: 'The dog was envious of the cat's new bed.' Some scientists believe higher animals do experience a form of social comparison.

No, 'envious' is an adjective. The noun form is 'envy.' You can say 'I feel envy' (noun) or 'I am envious' (adjective). The prompt incorrectly labeled it as a noun, but it is grammatically an adjective.

It is an idiom that means to be extremely envious. It comes from the idea that envy makes a person look pale or sickly, which was historically associated with the color green.

Psychologists suggest focusing on gratitude for what you already have and practicing 'benign envy,' where you use another person's success as motivation to improve yourself rather than feeling resentful toward them.