Definition of envy

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en·vy    (nv) KEY 

NOUN:
pl. en·vies

1. 1. A feeling of discontent and resentment aroused by and in conjunction with desire for the possessions or qualities of another.
   2. The object of such feeling: Their new pool made them the envy of their neighbors.
2. Obsolete Malevolence.

TRANSITIVE VERB:
en·vied, en·vy·ing, en·vies

1. To feel envy toward.
2. To regard with envy.

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ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English envie, from Old French, from Latin invidia, from invidus, envious, from invidre, to look at with envy : in-, in, on ; see en-¹ + vidre, to see; see weid- in Indo-European roots. V., from Middle English envien from Old French envier, from Latin invidre

OTHER FORMS:
envi·er(Noun), envy·ing·ly(Adverb)

SYNONYMS:
envy, begrudge, covet

These verbs mean to feel resentful or painful desire for another's advantages or possessions. Envy, the most general, combines discontent, resentment, and desire: "When I peruse the conquered fame of heroes and the victories of mighty generals, I do not envy the generals" (Walt Whitman). Begrudge stresses ill will and reluctance to acknowledge another's right or claim: Why begrudge him his success? Covet stresses a secret or culpable longing for something to which one has no right: "We hate no people and covet no people's lands" (Wendell L. Willkie).