What does avariciously mean?
Avariciously is an adverb describing actions performed with intense, grasping greed for wealth or material gain. Derived from 'avaricious', which itself stems from the Latin 'avaritia' (greed), it characterizes behavior marked by an insatiable appetite for acquiring more — whether money, property, or possessions. Someone who hoards resources, exploits others financially, or seizes opportunities with naked self-interest may be said to act avariciously. The word carries strong negative connotations and belongs to a formal, often literary register; writers use it to condemn or satirize greed rather than merely describe ambition. It is rarer than its parent adjective and appears most often in fiction, editorial writing, and moral commentary. Related forms include the noun 'avarice' (greed itself) and 'avariciousness'. For readers seeking a vivid, morally loaded alternative to plain 'greedily', 'avariciously' offers precision and rhetorical force.
adverbIn a manner showing an insatiable greed for wealth or material gain; with grasping, covetous eagerness.
- In a manner characterized by extreme greed for wealth or gain; with grasping, covetous eagerness.
"The landlord avariciously raised the rent for the third time in a single year."
"He eyed his brother's inheritance avariciously, already counting coins that were not yet his."
"The corporation avariciously swallowed up its smaller competitors until no rivals remained."
Avariciously comes from the Latin 'avere', to crave — making it the linguistic descendant of a word Romans used long before modern money even existed.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of avariciously
Avariciously traces back through the adjective 'avaricious', borrowed into English from Old French 'avaricieux' in the late medieval period, ultimately from the Latin 'avaritia', meaning greed. That Latin noun derives from 'avere', to crave or desire eagerly, related to 'avidus' (eager, greedy), the source of English 'avid'. The adverb was formed by adding the standard '-ly' suffix to 'avaricious'. Cognates appear across the Romance languages, including French 'avare' and Italian 'avaro', both meaning miserly or greedy.
Related word forms
How avariciously is actually used
A formal, literary adverb carrying strongly negative moral connotations. It is less common than the adjective 'avaricious' and typically appears in narrative or descriptive prose rather than everyday speech.
Easily confused with avariciously
Audaciously means boldly or daringly without shame or restraint, whereas avariciously means greedily, driven by desire for wealth.