What does covetously mean?
"Covetously" is an adverb describing action done with covetous desire — an intense, often greedy longing for something one does not have, particularly something owned by someone else. Derived from "covet," a word with deep roots in English religious and legal language, it typically carries a disapproving connotation, evoking envy, avarice, or improper appetite. In practice it most often accompanies verbs of looking and wanting: one gazes covetously at a neighbour's new car, eyes a colleague's promotion covetously, or stares covetously at the dessert trolley. While its serious use belongs to moral, literary, or formal writing, the word also lends itself to playful exaggeration, letting speakers dramatise ordinary cravings as if they were sins. It remains a vivid, expressive choice for conveying desire tinged with envy.
adverbIn a manner showing an intense, often greedy desire for something that belongs to another or is out of reach; with covetous longing.
- With an eager, greedy desire for something, especially what belongs to another.
- With envious longing or yearning (often used more figuratively or playfully).
"He eyed the last slice of cake covetously across the table."
"The rival firm eyed our patent portfolio covetously throughout the merger talks."
"She watched covetously as her brother unwrapped the gift she'd hoped for."
It's the tenth of the Ten Commandments — 'Thou shalt not covet' — which makes 'covetously' one of the oldest sins in the English language, spelled out adverbially.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of covetously
"Covetously" derives from "covetous," formed from the verb "covet," which entered Middle English from Old French "covetier" (modern French "convoiter"), ultimately from Latin "cupiditas" (desire), from "cupere" (to desire). The adverbial suffix "-ly" was added in Middle English. Its Latin root also gives us "cupidity" and "concupiscence." The word has carried strong moral overtones since the medieval period because of the commandment against coveting.
Related word forms
How covetously is actually used
Formal to literary register; rare in everyday casual speech. Often carries a negative connotation of greed or improper desire, though it can be used humorously or hyperbolically about harmless cravings (food, gadgets). Frequently appears with verbs of looking: eye, gaze at, glance at, stare at.
Easily confused with covetously
'Cautiously' means carefully and warily, while 'covetously' means with envious desire — the similar ending masks opposite meanings.