English Dictionary

Definition of “covet

covet (ˈkʌvɪtPronunciation for covet

Definitions

verb

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

Alternative Forms

ˈcovetable adjective ˈcoveter noun

Word Origin

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

Synonyms

View thesaurus entry
= long for desire, fancy, envy, crave, aspire to yearn for thirst for begrudge, hanker after lust after, set your heart on have your eye on would give your eyeteeth for

Usage examples

  • But when he asked his own questions ('What does covet mean, is it hitting somebody's wife?
    Haines, Pamela, The Golden Lion (1986)
  • Surprisingly, it emerges that-in some circumstances-they alone produce the peaceful, law-abiding societies we humans so covet.
    New Scientist (1999)
  • "Today's blinds offer a whole new look, are safer, and give people the privacy they covet.
    Edmonton Sun (2003)
  • Any club with a tradition of entertaining football will covet the manager.
    Sun, News of the World (2005)
  • Look at it, it isn't much, is it, this hut you and your family seem to covet.
    Lide, Mary, Polmena Cove (1994)

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