/ ˈdʒeləs; NAmE / adjective
1.
feeling angry or unhappy because sb you like or love is showing interest in sb else :
a jealous wife / husband
He's only talking to her to make you jealous.
2.
jealous (of sb/sth) feeling angry or unhappy because you wish you had sth that sb else has
SYN envious :
She's jealous of my success.
Children often feel jealous when a new baby arrives.
3.
jealous (of sth) wanting to keep or protect sth that you have because it makes you feel proud :
They are very jealous of their good reputation (= they do not want to lose it) .
► jeal·ous·ly adverb :
She eyed Natalia jealously.
a jealously guarded secret
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WORD ORIGIN
Middle English : from Old French gelos , from medieval Latin zelosus , from Latin zelus zeal, jealousy.