What does enviously mean?
“Enviously” is an adverb meaning with envy, especially in response to another person’s possessions, success, talents, or position. It describes the manner of a look, glance, attitude, or reaction and may suggest covetous desire, resentment, or both. For example, a viewer might look enviously at a colleague’s promotion, while a child might regard an older sibling’s new bicycle enviously. The word is used in ordinary English in both British and American speech and can occur in neutral descriptions as well as in contexts that emphasize jealousy or social tension. “Enviously” is more focused than “jealously” in some contexts because it foregrounds desire for what another person has, whereas “jealously” may also imply fear of losing a valued relationship or opportunity. A careful writer should consider whether the intended emphasis is simple admiration, covetous longing, or active resentment; “admiringly” or “longingly” may better express the first two meanings, while “resentfully” may suit the last.
adverbWith envy, especially in response to another person's possessions, success, talents, or position.
- With envy of another person's possessions, success, talents, or position.
"She glanced enviously at her sister's newly renovated garden."
"He looked enviously at the other team's championship trophy."
"The phrase “green with envy” poetically describes looking enviously at another person's good fortune."
Enviously began with a jealous gaze: its Latin ancestor, invidia, means “jealousy” or “envy.”
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does enviously come from?
“Enviously” was formed in English by adding the adverbial suffix -ly to “envious.” “Envious” comes through Middle English from Old French envieux, ultimately derived from Latin invidiosus and invidia, meaning jealousy or envy. The Latin root invidere means to envy and is related to videre, meaning to see, giving the word family its association with a jealous or envious gaze.
How enviously is actually used
The adverb is neutral in form but usually carries a covetous, resentful, or mildly disapproving connotation.
Easily confused with enviously
Enviously emphasizes a covetous desire for what another person has, whereas jealously may also suggest fear of losing someone's affection, loyalty, or position.