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covetous - 3 dictionary results

cov⋅et⋅ous

  [kuhv-i-tuhs]
Use covetous in a Sentence
–adjective
1. inordinately or wrongly desirous of wealth or possessions; greedy.
2. eagerly desirous.
Origin:
1250–1300; ME coveitous < AF, OF; see covet, -ous

Related forms:
cov⋅et⋅ous⋅ly, adverb
cov⋅et⋅ous⋅ness, noun

Synonyms:
1. grasping, rapacious. See avaricious.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To covetous
cov·et·ous   (kŭv'ĭ-təs)   
adj.  
  1. Excessively and culpably desirous of the possessions of another. See Synonyms at jealous.
  2. Marked by extreme desire to acquire or possess: covetous of learning.
cov'et·ous·ly adv., cov'et·ous·ness n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Covetous

Cov"et*ous\ (k?v"?t-?s), a. [OF. coveitos, F. convoiteux. See Covet, v. t.]

1. Very desirous; eager to obtain; -- used in a good sense. [Archaic]

Covetous of wisdom and fair virtue. --Shak.

Covetous death bereaved us all, To aggrandize one funeral. --Emerson.

2. Inordinately desirous; excessively eager to obtain and possess (esp. money); avaricious; -- in a bad sense.

The covetous person lives as if the world were madealtogether for him, and not he for the world. --South.

Syn: Avaricious; parsimonious; penurious; misrely; niggardly. See Avaricious.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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