लालची
A greedy person always wants more food, money, or things than they actually need.
Explanation at your level:
A greedy person wants everything. If you have 10 candies and you want 10 more, you are greedy. It is not nice to be greedy. You should share with your friends!
When someone is greedy, they want more food or money than they need. For example, if you eat all the cake at a party, people might say you are being greedy. It is better to share what you have.
The adjective greedy describes someone who has a selfish desire for more than they need. It is often used to criticize people who do not share. You might hear it in phrases like 'greedy for success' or 'greedy for money.' It is a common word in stories about villains or selfish characters.
Greedy is a strong adjective used to describe an insatiable desire for material gain or resources. It implies a lack of generosity. In professional settings, it is used to describe corporations or individuals who prioritize profit over ethics. It is a powerful way to express disapproval of someone's behavior.
In advanced English, greedy can be used figuratively to describe abstract concepts, such as a 'greedy algorithm' in computer science, which makes the locally optimal choice at each stage. It suggests a process or person that consumes resources rapidly and without restraint. The nuance here is often about efficiency versus ethical consumption.
At the mastery level, greedy serves as a potent descriptor for the human condition, often appearing in literary critiques regarding 'the greedy nature of man.' It evokes the historical and philosophical baggage of the word, touching upon the seven deadly sins, specifically avarice. It is used to analyze complex motivations where the desire for 'more' becomes a psychological trap.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Greedy means wanting more than you need.
- It is usually a negative personality trait.
- It can apply to money, food, or power.
- The noun form is 'greed'.
The word greedy describes someone who is never satisfied with what they have. Whether it is about money, fame, or even a slice of cake, a greedy person always wants more.
It is a word that carries a negative weight in English. When you call someone greedy, you are usually pointing out that their desire is selfish or excessive. It is not just about wanting things; it is about the lack of moderation in that wanting.
The word greedy comes from the Old English word grædig, which meant 'having a great appetite' or 'voracious.' It has roots in the Proto-Germanic language, linking it to concepts of hunger and devouring.
Over centuries, the meaning shifted slightly from just physical hunger for food to a metaphorical hunger for wealth and power. It shares a linguistic ancestor with the word gripe, which originally meant to grasp or seize, perfectly capturing the physical action of a greedy person holding onto their possessions.
You will often hear greedy used in business or political contexts, such as 'greedy corporations' or 'greedy politicians.' These phrases highlight the perception that these entities are taking more than their fair share.
In everyday life, it is common to use it for children or friends, like 'Don't be so greedy with the snacks!' It is a versatile adjective that fits into both serious critiques and casual, lighthearted banter.
1. Greedy guts: Used to describe someone who eats too much. Example: Stop acting like a greedy guts and leave some pizza for your sister!
2. Eyes bigger than one's stomach: When someone takes more food than they can eat. Example: He ordered the whole menu, clearly his eyes were bigger than his stomach.
3. Greedy for power: Describing someone obsessed with control. Example: The king became greedy for power and lost his allies.
4. Money-grabbing: A synonym for greedy behavior. Example: That company is just a money-grabbing scheme.
5. All-consuming greed: A deep, overwhelming desire. Example: His all-consuming greed ruined his reputation.
Greedy is a standard adjective. Its comparative form is greedier and the superlative is greediest. It is pronounced /ˈɡriːdi/ in both British and American English.
It rhymes with words like needy, seedy, speedy, weedy, and reedy. The stress is always on the first syllable, making the 'ee' sound long and emphasized.
Fun Fact
It shares roots with the word 'gripe', meaning to grasp.
Pronunciation Guide
Sounds like 'gree-dee'
Sounds like 'gree-dee'
Common Errors
- Pronouncing the 'd' as 't'
- Making the 'ee' sound too short
- Misplacing the stress on the second syllable
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Easy to read
Easy to use in sentences
Easy to pronounce
Easy to hear
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Adjective placement
The greedy boy
Comparative adjectives
Greedier than
Superlative adjectives
The greediest
Examples by Level
The greedy boy ate all the cake.
greedy = लालची
Adjective before noun
Do not be greedy.
Do not = मत बनो
Imperative sentence
He is a greedy person.
greedy = लालची
Subject + verb + adjective
She is not greedy.
not = नहीं
Negative adjective
The cat is greedy.
cat = बिल्ली
Simple sentence
Are you greedy?
Are you = क्या तुम हो
Interrogative
They are very greedy.
very = बहुत
Adverb + adjective
I am not greedy.
I am = मैं हूँ
Personal statement
The greedy dog wanted all the bones.
Don't be greedy with your toys.
He has a greedy look in his eyes.
The greedy giant took everything.
Being greedy makes you lonely.
She was greedy for attention.
The greedy child cried for more.
Is it greedy to want more?
The greedy corporation raised prices again.
He was too greedy to donate to charity.
A greedy investor wants quick returns.
Don't let your greedy side take over.
The greedy king lost his kingdom.
She felt greedy after eating the whole box.
Greedy habits are hard to break.
It was a greedy move by the manager.
His greedy pursuit of wealth destroyed his family.
The greedy nature of the market is well-known.
She accused him of being greedy and selfish.
The greedy algorithms optimize for short-term gain.
He was blinded by his own greedy ambition.
A greedy landlord raised the rent unfairly.
The country suffered from greedy politicians.
She was greedy for knowledge and read every book.
The system is designed to reward greedy behavior.
His greedy consumption of resources is unsustainable.
She possessed a greedy intellect that never rested.
The greedy expansion of the empire led to its fall.
It is a greedy interpretation of the law.
The greedy hands of time take everything eventually.
He was driven by a greedy need for validation.
Such greedy policies will surely fail in the long run.
The narrative explores the greedy undercurrents of the Victorian era.
His avarice was so profound that even 'greedy' felt like an understatement.
The greedy machinery of war consumes everything in its path.
She dissected the greedy motives behind the corporate merger.
The poem critiques the greedy spirit of modern consumerism.
His greedy acquisition of land alienated the local farmers.
It was a display of unadulterated, greedy ambition.
The philosophical discourse centered on the greedy nature of desire.
Common Collocations
Idioms & Expressions
"Greedy guts"
Someone who eats too much
Don't be such a greedy guts!
casual"Eyes bigger than one's stomach"
Taking more food than you can eat
He ordered too much; his eyes are bigger than his stomach.
neutral"Money-grabbing"
Obsessed with getting money
He is a money-grabbing lawyer.
casual"All-consuming greed"
Extreme, overwhelming greed
His all-consuming greed ruined his life.
literary"Greedy for more"
Never satisfied
They are always greedy for more.
neutralEasily Confused
They rhyme
Needy means needing help; greedy means wanting too much.
He is needy (needs love) vs. He is greedy (wants money).
Both involve wanting something
Eager is positive (excited); greedy is negative (selfish).
She is eager to help vs. She is greedy for money.
Both relate to appetite
Hungry is a physical need; greedy is a character trait.
I am hungry vs. He is a greedy eater.
Similar meaning
Selfish is general; greedy is specifically about wanting more.
He is selfish with his time vs. He is greedy with his money.
Sentence Patterns
Subject + is + greedy + for + noun
He is greedy for power.
Subject + is + a + greedy + noun
He is a greedy person.
Don't + be + greedy
Don't be greedy with the snacks.
The + greedy + verb
The greedy want more.
It + is + greedy + to + verb
It is greedy to take everything.
Word Family
Nouns
Adjectives
Related
How to Use It
7
Formality Scale
Common Mistakes
Greedily is an adverb. Use greedy to describe a noun.
We say greedy for something, not greedy to something.
For short adjectives, use -er instead of more.
Adjectives don't take an 's' to become plural.
Use -est for the superlative.
Tips
Memory Palace Trick
Imagine a greedy person with giant hands.
When Native Speakers Use It
Used when someone takes more than their fair share.
Cultural Insight
Greed is often seen as a negative trait in Western culture.
Grammar Shortcut
Use 'greedy for' + [noun].
Say It Right
Focus on the long 'ee' sound.
Don't Make This Mistake
Don't say 'greedily' when you mean the adjective.
Did You Know?
Greedy comes from the same roots as hunger.
Study Smart
Use it in a sentence about a character in a book.
Synonym Power
Use 'avaricious' for formal writing.
Context Matters
Use it to describe someone who doesn't share.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
G-R-E-E-D-Y: Get Really Everything Every Day, Yes!
Visual Association
A person with very long arms grabbing all the cookies.
Word Web
Challenge
Try to identify three things you are NOT greedy about.
Word Origin
Old English
Original meaning: having a great appetite
Cultural Context
Can be an offensive label if used to attack someone's character.
Often used to describe corporate behavior or selfish children.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
At the dinner table
- Don't be greedy
- Leave some for others
- You have a greedy appetite
In business
- Greedy corporations
- Greedy investors
- Profit-driven
In fairy tales
- The greedy giant
- The greedy king
- Greed leads to ruin
In school
- Don't be greedy with the supplies
- Share your pens
Conversation Starters
"Do you think people are naturally greedy?"
"What is the difference between being ambitious and being greedy?"
"Have you ever met someone you would call greedy?"
"Is it possible for a company to be successful without being greedy?"
"How do we teach children not to be greedy?"
Journal Prompts
Write about a time you felt greedy.
Describe a character who is greedy.
Is greed ever a good thing? Why or why not?
How does greed affect society?
Frequently Asked Questions
8 questionsYes, it is generally used to criticize someone.
Yes, it is very common for food.
The noun is 'greed'.
Use 'avaricious' or 'acquisitive'.
Yes, it is a personal criticism.
No, it can mean food, power, or attention.
No, we use 'to be greedy'.
Think of someone grabbing things with their hands.
Test Yourself
The ___ boy ate all the cake.
Greedy describes the boy who ate everything.
What does greedy mean?
Greedy means wanting more than you need.
A greedy person loves to share.
Greedy people usually do not like to share.
Word
Meaning
Matching synonyms and antonyms.
Subject + verb + negative + adjective.
Score: /5
Summary
Greedy is a word used to describe someone who selfishly wants more than their fair share.
- Greedy means wanting more than you need.
- It is usually a negative personality trait.
- It can apply to money, food, or power.
- The noun form is 'greed'.
Memory Palace Trick
Imagine a greedy person with giant hands.
When Native Speakers Use It
Used when someone takes more than their fair share.
Cultural Insight
Greed is often seen as a negative trait in Western culture.
Grammar Shortcut
Use 'greedy for' + [noun].
Example
एक लालची व्यक्ति कभी संतुष्ट नहीं होता।
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