Envy is when you want what another person has. It can be an object, success, or quality. This feeling can make people unhappy.
She felt envy when he got a new car.
He had envy for his friend’s success.
To envy means to feel unhappy or jealous because another person has something good. It shows a strong wish to have the same thing.
I envy her new bike very much.
They envied his talent in music.
Envy can also mean something very good that many people want to have. It shows that the thing is special or admired.
The new phone is the envy of the school.
Her garden is the envy of the neighborhood.
Sometimes envy means feeling bitter or unhappy because someone else has something good. This can cause problems in relationships.
He spoke with envy about his brother's success.
Envy can cause hard feelings between friends.
To envy can also mean wanting to be like someone or have their qualities, not just their objects. It can mean wishing to copy or have the same success.
She envied his way of speaking.
Many artists envied her style.
Envy sometimes causes people to try harder to reach their goals. Seeing others do well can be a motivation, not only a negative feeling.
Her envy of others made her work harder.
Envy helped him become a better player.
