Covet
verb /ˈkʌv.ɪt/ — To yearn intensely to possess what another has.
Definition
To yearn to possess or experience something or someone that belongs to another — to feel intense, longing desire for what is not yours. Coveting is desire with envy's edge: the wanting is intensified by the fact of another's possession.
Beyond the definition
To covet is to feel the full weight of desire crossed with the fact of not having — the wanting made sharper because someone else is the one who has it.
Origin & history
From Old French 'coveitier' (to covet); from Latin 'cupiditas' (desire, passion); from 'cupere' (to desire). Related to 'Cupid'. The tenth commandment's prohibition made the word famous.
Example sentences
Illustrative sentences for learning, not verified community posts or sourced quotations.
She had never coveted other people's relationships until she saw how easy they made something she found difficult.
He coveted the position for years before he admitted it, even to himself.
What we covet tells us something about what we believe we deserve but doubt we're allowed.
How to use it
This entry uses a verb. Follow the examples for tense and any objects or prepositions it needs.
Choose “Covet” when the meaning fits your context: To yearn to possess or experience something or someone that belongs to another — to feel intense, longing desire for what is not yours. Coveting is desire with envy's edge: the wanting is intensified by the fact of another's possession.
Synonyms
crave, yearn for, desire, envy, lust after
Antonyms
relinquish, surrender, be content
Related words
Covet vs crave
Coveted is used for things one wants to possess that currently belong to another. Crave refers to a deep, visceral, or physical hunger for something, whether possessed or not.
Word in the Wild
See how this word appears in life, language and stories.
Illustrative sentences and imagined stories for learning — not verified sightings, interviews, or sourced quotations.
Fictional scene
Desire Through Envy
One person chooses an outfit, while their partner copies it, looking for cues.
The partner's desire to copy the vividness of the first person reflects being coveted. The wanting is intensified by the fact that the partner lacks the authenticity the other possesses, turning desire into a form of envy.
Image credit: Wordspun · AI-generated conceptual illustration
Questions about this word
What does "Covet" mean?
Covet is verb meaning: To yearn intensely to possess what another has.. To yearn to possess or experience something or someone that belongs to another — to feel intense, longing desire for what is not yours. Coveting is desire with envy's edge: the wanting is intensified by the fact of another's possession.
Where does the word "Covet" come from?
From Old French 'coveitier' (to covet); from Latin 'cupiditas' (desire, passion); from 'cupere' (to desire). Related to 'Cupid'. The tenth commandment's prohibition made the word famous.