jealousy

[ jel-uh-see ]

noun

, plural jeal·ous·ies

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.

jealousy

/ ˈdʒɛləsɪ /

noun

1. the state or quality of being jealous

Confusables Note

See envy.

Word History and Origins

Origin of jealousy¹

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

Synonym Study

See envy.

Example Sentences

"Also, the east/west coast beef was mainly ignited by jealousy. It was an ashtray fire fanned into a big deal by media outlets that led to Biggie and Tupac getting killed."

From BBC

Mr Justice Hilliard, who previously lifted restrictions to allow the identity of MacPhail to be reported, said the "vicious and brutal" attack was motivated by "resentment and jealousy".

From BBC

The prosecutor said MacPhail had been intent on seeing Holly and messages he had sent demonstrated his "jealousy" and "unhappiness with how he felt he had been treated".

From BBC

I feel so much joy — and jealousy — that this is their weekly experience as professional soccer players.

From Los Angeles Times

In 2022, Smith told The Times that she believed the claims arose from the plaintiffs’ “financial jealousy of a 15-year-old girl.”

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• grudge
• resentment

More About Jealousy

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.

Where does jealousy come from?

The first records of the word jealousy come from the 1300s. It ultimately derives from the Greek zēlos, meaning “zeal” (enthusiastic devotion). The words zeal and zealous are based on the same root.

Jealousy usually involves coveting (greedily desiring) what someone else has, such as material possessions, success, fame—even a romantic partner. In the context of romantic relationships, though, jealousy involves feeling the need to intensely guard access to one’s partner in order to prevent perceived threats to the relationship.

In his play Othello, Shakespeare famously calls jealousy a green-eyed monster, which is a way of saying that jealousy is an unhealthy emotion that can eat away at you.

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms related to jealousy?

• jealousies (plural)
• jealous (adjective)

What are some synonyms for jealousy?

• covetousness
• green-eyed monster

What are some words that share a root or word element with jealousy? 

 

• zeal
• zealous

What are some words that often get used in discussing jealousy?

• have
• resentment
• covet
• possession
• success
• own
• feeling
• relationship
• suspicion 
• sin

What are some words jealousy may be commonly confused with?

• envy

How is jealousy used in real life?

Jealousy commonly involves resentment relating to possessions, success, and romantic partners.

at the end of the day, people making outlandish claims about the legitimacy of dream's speedruns are motivated purely by jealousy. jealousy of his success, his luck, his growth. it's blatantly obvious he does not cheat. they just let their immaturity cloud their judgements.

— rusty (@rustyimpact) October 21, 2020

The lack of empathy and emotional intelligence in infosec is sometimes shocking. It's disappointing to see jealousy and/or immaturity as a reaction to hard work published, instead of encouragement and gracefulness. At least it's easy to tell now who's on what side.

— shubs (@infosec_au) October 13, 2020

If you ever feel jealousy/envy towards anyone, sit and learn to channel that energy towards YOURSELF. Minutes spent worrying about someone else takes away from growing.

— Dani ♡︎ (@dannellamunoz) October 16, 2020

 

Try using jealousy!

True or False? 

Jealousy is usually considered a negative and unhealthy feeling.