enviable, envious — Enviable, meaning desirable, is a milder (less strong) word than envious, which has the same basic meaning but suggests strong discontent and resentment. Enviable may even be used as an expression of praise: His solid strength of character is… … Dictionary of problem words and expressions
envious — [en′vē əs] adj. [ME < OFr envieus < L invidiosus < invidia, ENVY] 1. characterized by envy; feeling, showing, or resulting from envy 2. Obs. a) emulous b) enviable enviously adv. enviousness n … English World dictionary
envious — adjective Date: 13th century 1. feeling or showing envy < envious of their neighbor s new car > < envious looks > 2. archaic a. emulous b. enviable • enviously adverb • envi … New Collegiate Dictionary
envious — enviously, adv. enviousness, n. /en vee euhs/, adj. 1. full of, feeling, or expressing envy: envious of a person s success; an envious attack. 2. Archaic. a. emulous. b. enviable. [1250 1300; ME < AF; OF envieus < L invidiosus INVIDIOUS] … Universalium
enviable — See enviable, envious … Dictionary of problem words and expressions
envious — See enviable, envious … Dictionary of problem words and expressions
envious — en•vi•ous [[t]ˈɛn vi əs[/t]] adj. 1) full of, feeling, or expressing envy 2) archaic a) emulous b) enviable • Etymology: 1250–1300; ME < AF; OF envieus < L invidiōsus invidious en′vi•ous•ly, adv. en′vi•ous•ness, n … From formal English to slang
en´vi|ous|ness — en|vi|ous «EHN vee uhs», adjective. 1. feeling or showing discontent because of a wish to have something that someone else has; full of envy: »The weak are often envious of the strong. He was envious of his cousin s success. 2. Obsolete. a)… … Useful english dictionary
en´vi|ous|ly — en|vi|ous «EHN vee uhs», adjective. 1. feeling or showing discontent because of a wish to have something that someone else has; full of envy: »The weak are often envious of the strong. He was envious of his cousin s success. 2. Obsolete. a)… … Useful english dictionary
en|vi|ous — «EHN vee uhs», adjective. 1. feeling or showing discontent because of a wish to have something that someone else has; full of envy: »The weak are often envious of the strong. He was envious of his cousin s success. 2. Obsolete. a) malicious;… … Useful english dictionary
