jealous
- Thread starter mimi2
- Start date
My initial reaction was to prefer the use of "envious" in this case, but i looked up both words again and it seems that both are OK.
jealous of a friend's success; covetous of my neighbor's possessions; envious of their art collection.
I'd maybe add 'of his success' for a little clarity, like this:
Though jealous/envious of his success, I shook the winner's hand.
'Jealousy' for me always implied something related to a love affair or human relations, but looking up the words now, i realise this was a misconception on my part - maybe this 80's sond is to blame
jealous of a friend's success; covetous of my neighbor's possessions; envious of their art collection.
I'd maybe add 'of his success' for a little clarity, like this:
Though jealous/envious of his success, I shook the winner's hand.
'Jealousy' for me always implied something related to a love affair or human relations, but looking up the words now, i realise this was a misconception on my part - maybe this 80's sond is to blame
panjandrum
Senior Member
English-Ireland (top end)
Jealous and envious are very different.
Be very careful about using jealous where envious is appropriate.
I recommend "envy" & "jealous" and Nauseate and nauseous (start at post #8 and read on) where the differences between envy and jealousy are thoroughly explored.
Be very careful about using jealous where envious is appropriate.
I recommend "envy" & "jealous" and Nauseate and nauseous (start at post #8 and read on) where the differences between envy and jealousy are thoroughly explored.
Bil
Banned
English USA
Hi Mimi
Of course, as in your own native language, many words in English carry more than one meaning. As a foreign language student, however, your best avenue toward success lies in conquering one challenge at a time step by step. Let's turn to the lexicographers at the major publishing houses for the answer that is truly pertinent to your question and example sentence:
envious: feeling resentment over or desire for another's advantages, possessions or attainments.
jealous: feeling resentful and envious of another's advantages, possessions or attainments.
Consequently, in the context of your example sentence, "Though I was jealous/envious, I shook the winner's hand," the adjectives 'jealous' and 'envious' are synonymous, and their interchangeable usage in this instance illustrates a very natural and common construction in English speech and writing—a perfect match!
Of course, as in your own native language, many words in English carry more than one meaning. As a foreign language student, however, your best avenue toward success lies in conquering one challenge at a time step by step. Let's turn to the lexicographers at the major publishing houses for the answer that is truly pertinent to your question and example sentence:
envious: feeling resentment over or desire for another's advantages, possessions or attainments.
jealous: feeling resentful and envious of another's advantages, possessions or attainments.
Consequently, in the context of your example sentence, "Though I was jealous/envious, I shook the winner's hand," the adjectives 'jealous' and 'envious' are synonymous, and their interchangeable usage in this instance illustrates a very natural and common construction in English speech and writing—a perfect match!
padredeocho
Banned
United States
Funny how jealous and envious have seemingly replaced covetous nearly entirely.