“Envious” vs. “Jealous”: What’s the Difference?

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The difference between “envious” and “jealous”

  • "Envious" specifically focuses on coveting what someone else possesses, whereas "jealous" can be a fear of losing what one already possesses to a rival.
  • "Envious" tends to be more directed toward another person's possessions, qualities, or achievements; whereas "jealous" often pertains to the preservation of relationships, particularly in romantic or interpersonal contexts.
  • "Envious" is generally associated with a desire to possess what others have; whereas "jealous" can also be a desire to possess what another has or a fear of losing what one already has, whether it is a possession, status, or relationship.
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What is the definition of “envious” and “jealous”?

Envious
  • "Envious" is an adjective that describes a feeling of discontent or longing aroused by someone else's possessions, qualities, or achievements, accompanied by a desire to possess or experience them oneself.
  • It suggests a sense of covetousness or resentment toward someone who has something desirable or advantageous.
  • "Envious" often conveys a negative connotation, indicating a sense of dissatisfaction or unhappiness with one's own circumstances in comparison to others.
Jealous
  • "Jealous" is an adjective that describes a feeling of possessiveness, suspicion, or fear of losing something or someone to a rival or perceived threat.
  • It can also involve desiring something that another has.
  • "Jealous" can also suggest a sense of insecurity or unease regarding the attention or affection shown toward someone else.

Which is the more popular variant on the Internet?

“Jealous” is the more popular variant on the web.
Envious
20,600,000 results on the web
Examples
  1. She couldn't hide the envious look on her face when her friend showed off her new car.
  2. I am envious of my colleague's artistic talent.
  3. I'm so envious of his beautiful singing voice.
More popular
Jealous
113,000,000 results on the web
Examples
  1. Her boyfriend became jealous when she spent too much time with her male friend.
  2. The little girl was jealous of her baby brother getting all the attention.
  3. He felt jealous of his neighbor's successful career.
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