/ ˈenvi; NAmE / noun , verb
■ noun
[ U ] envy (of sb) | envy (at / of sth) the feeling of wanting to be in the same situation as sb else; the feeling of wanting sth that sb else has :
He couldn't conceal his envy of me.
She felt a pang of envy at the thought of his success.
They looked with envy at her latest purchase.
Her colleagues were green with envy (= they had very strong feelings of envy ) .
•
IDIOMS
- be the envy of sb/sth
—see also enviable , envious
■ verb ( en·vies , envy·ing , en·vied , en·vied )
1.
to wish you had the same qualities, possessions, opportunities, etc. as sb else :
[ vn ]
He envied her—she seemed to have everything she could possibly want.
She has always envied my success.
[ vnn ]
I envied him his good looks.
[ vn -ing ]
I envy you having such a close family.
2.
not ~ sb (sth) to be glad that you do not have to do what sb else has to do :
[ vn ]
It's a difficult situation you're in. I don't envy you.
[ vnn ]
I don't envy her that job.
••
WORD ORIGIN
Middle English (also in the sense hostility, enmity ): from Old French envie (noun), envier (verb), from Latin invidia , from invidere regard maliciously, grudge, from in- into + videre to see.