What does jealously mean?
Jealously means in a jealous manner, especially with a suspicious, resentful, or possessive attitude. It is commonly used when someone watches another person closely, guards a possession or relationship with excessive care, or reacts to another person’s success or advantages with envy. The word can suggest a broad range of emotions, from mild concern to intense possessiveness, so context determines its strength. For example, “guarded the secret jealously” may imply that the speaker feared disclosure, while “glanced at her rival jealously” emphasizes envy or competitive feeling. Jealously is especially useful because it combines an attitude of emotional exclusivity with the manner in which that attitude is expressed. It can be literal, describing a jealous person’s behavior, or figurative, describing the careful and suspicious way someone protects a valued person, privilege, or possession.
adverbIn a jealous manner, especially with a suspicious or possessive attitude toward someone or something.
- In a jealous manner, typically with envy, suspicion, or possessiveness.
"She watched him jealously whenever another man approached."
"He kept a jealously guarded eye on the company’s largest accounts."
"Her friend looked at the award jealously but congratulated her sincerely."
Jealously traces its family to the Greek word zēlos, meaning intense feeling or ardor—emotion on the edge of admiration, desire, and envy.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does jealously come from?
Jealously is formed in English by adding the adverbial suffix -ly to jealous. Jealous comes through Old French jalous from Latin zelosus, which derives from Greek zēlos, meaning jealousy, ardor, or zeal. The related words zealous and zealously ultimately share this Greek source, while jealousy and jealous preserve the same root within the English word family.
How jealously is actually used
The adverb commonly conveys a more intense or possessive attitude than jealousy alone. Depending on context, it may describe careful watching, guardedness, resentment, or an unwillingness to share someone or something. It is neutral in register but often implies tension or possessiveness.
Easily confused with jealously
Jealously describes behavior motivated by jealousy or possessiveness, whereas zealously describes intense enthusiasm or devotion.