jealousy

American  

[jel-uh-see] / ˈdʒɛl ə si /

noun

plural

jealousies

1. jealous resentment against a rival, a person enjoying success or advantage, etc., or against another's success or advantage itself.

2. mental uneasiness from suspicion or fear of rivalry, unfaithfulness, etc., as in love or aims.

3. vigilance in maintaining or guarding something.

4. a jealous feeling, disposition, state, or mood.

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jealousy British  

/ ˈdʒɛləsɪ /

noun

1. the state or quality of being jealous

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Usage

What does jealousy mean? Jealousy is a feeling or state of resentment, bitterness, or hostility toward someone because they have something that you don’t.Jealousy usually occurs as a result of someone owning something you want but can’t have or having achieved some kind of success that you want to achieve but have not been able to.This sense of jealousy is very similar in meaning to envy, which refers to a mostly negative feeling of desire for something that someone else has and you do not—like a mix of admiration and discontent. However, while envy is not necessarily malicious, jealousy usually implies a deeper resentment, perhaps because you feel that you deserve the thing more than the other person, or that it is unfair that they have it and you don’t.Jealousy is also used in the context of romantic relationships to refer to a feeling of hostility, uneasiness, or distress relating to the fear that one’s romantic partner will be unfaithful. This often involves opposition to others giving one’s partner positive attention. Such jealousy is considered very unhealthy in relationships.Someone who is feeling or is prone to jealousy can be described as jealous. Jealous can also be used to describe such a person’s thoughts or actions.Example: If your friends feel jealousy over your success, they may not be your friends.

Commonly Confused

See envy.

Related Words

See envy.

Etymology

Origin of jealousy

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English gelusie, gelosie, from Old French gelosie, jalousie, equivalent to gelos “jealous” + -ie noun suffix; jealous, -y ³

Example Sentences

I stomped down the sidewalk, my Friday night ruined by my own jealousy.

From Literature

This triggers the jealousy of a neighboring farmer who has known Doris since childhood, and a quiet love triangle emerges that is notable for the sensitivity with which it registers Doris’s own feelings and desires.

From The Wall Street Journal

“I had written a book on writing once …” How did professional jealousy, competitiveness, possessiveness, or, on the brighter side, tenderness, collaborative spirit and generosity play out as you wrote a writing book together?

From Los Angeles Times

So I knew she must be able to see the lingering jealousy I was still feeling about her and Karli.

From Literature

She also excelled in the fast, showy aria in which she warns Dejanira to beware of jealousy.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• grudge
• resentment