ENVIOUS

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 Dictionary entry overview: What does envious mean? 

• ENVIOUS (adjective)
  The adjective ENVIOUS has 1 sense:

1. showing extreme cupidity; painfully desirous of another's advantages

  Familiarity information: ENVIOUS used as an adjective is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• ENVIOUS (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Showing extreme cupidity; painfully desirous of another's advantages

Synonyms:

covetous; envious; jealous

Context example:

envious of their art collection

Similar:

desirous; wishful (having or expressing desire for something)

Derivation:

enviousness (a feeling of grudging admiration and desire to have something that is possessed by another)

envy (spite and resentment at seeing the success of another (personified as one of the deadly sins))

 Context examples 

How I was, in a grudging way I have no words for, envious of her grief.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

It makes me envious and miserable;—I who have never seen it!

(Emma, by Jane Austen)

The stepdaughter once had a pretty apron, which the other fancied so much that she became envious, and told her mother that she must and would have that apron.

(Fairy Tales, by The Brothers Grimm)

She tried not to be envious or discontented, but it was very natural that the young girl should long for pretty things, gay friends, accomplishments, and a happy life.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

It was Miss Reed that found them out: I believe she was envious; and now she and her sister lead a cat and dog life together; they are always quarrelling—Well, and what of John Reed?

(Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë)

She bitterly regretted not having sought a closer acquaintance with her, and blushed for the envious feelings which had certainly been, in some measure, the cause.

(Emma, by Jane Austen)