covet

[ kuhv-it ]

verb (used with object)

1. to desire wrongfully, inordinately, or without due regard for the rights of others:

   to covet another's property.

   Antonyms: renounce

2. to wish for, especially eagerly:

   He won the prize they all coveted.

verb (used without object)

1. to have an inordinate or wrongful desire.

covet

/ ˈkʌvɪt /

verb

1. to wish, long, or crave for (something, esp the property of another person)

Derived Forms

• ˈcoveter, noun
• ˈcovetable, adjective

Other Words From

• cov·et·a·ble adjective
• cov·et·er noun
• cov·et·ing·ly adverb
• un·cov·et·ing adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of covet¹

First recorded in 1325–1350; Middle English coveiten, from Anglo-French coveiter, Old French coveit(i)er, from unattested Vulgar Latin cupiditāre, verbal derivative of Latin cupiditās cupidity

Word History and Origins

Origin of covet¹

C13: from Old French coveitier, from coveitié eager desire, ultimately from Latin cupiditā cupidity

Synonym Study

See envy.

Example Sentences

In “Challengers,” a love triangle does divide Patrick and Art, two childhood friends and tennis stars, but the film is as much about their connection with each other as it is about the woman they both covet.

From Los Angeles Times

He is another bowler who possesses the high pace England covet and can provide valuable runs down the order, with two first-class hundreds to his name.

From BBC

Both were titles to covet; at the famed Royal County Down in his native Northern Ireland and then in the DP World Tour’s flagship event.

From BBC

Whether they still covet him after spending more than $1 billion on Ohtani and Japanese pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto is conjecture, although Andrew Friedman and other Dodgers executives have scouted him since he was in high school.

From Los Angeles Times

Trevino often visits Special Hearts in the offseason and the students rave about meeting him and covet the pictures he’s taken with them.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• crave
• envy
• lust after