ˈkəvə̇d.əs, -ə̇təs, Brit also ÷ -və̇chəs adjective
Etymology: Middle English coveitous, from Old French, from coveitié + -ous
: given to, marked by, or arising from coveting:
a. : marked by craving and deep desire to own wealth or possessions
it's on your account that he's been so particular about money of late, he was never covetous before — G.B.Shaw
b. : having a craving for possession — used with of, formerly with for
a man covetous of honors
c. : marked by inordinate, culpable, or envious desire for another's possessions
throwing covetous eyes out of their forests on the fields and vineyards of their neighbors — J.A.Froude
Synonyms:
greedy , acquisitive , grasping , avaricious : covetous stresses strength of desire, usually for what is rightfully another's and generally with envy
France, jealous as it was of his greatness and covetous of his Gascon possessions — J.R.Green
first settlers brought fine hunting dogs … of which the Indians were so covetous that a day was set each year when settlers traded dogs — American Guide Series: Virginia
greedy stresses lack of restraint
a child greedy for candy
with eyes by the gold lust blinded, with the greedy griping hand — William Morris
he loved learning; he was greedy of all writings and sciences — G.G.Coulton
acquisitive implies not only eagerness to possess but aptitude for acquiring and retaining
one of those strenuous, acquisitive women — E.A.Weeks
our present acquisitive society, in which our craving for material things seems never to be satisfied — R.E.Baber
grasping always implies an unashamed selfishness in acquiring, usually by any quick means
a grasping old miser
grasping commercialism — George Nobbe
avaricious implies eagerness and the capacity for indiscriminate acquisition befitting a grasping person and strongly suggests stinginess
an avaricious black-market profiteer
dust and ashes, and fiery lava are sufficient to satisfy the most avaricious thrill seeker — E.B.Branson & W.A.Tarr
the avaricious old man lived in squalor, keeping his money hidden in odd places around his house