What is the difference between jealous and envious?

Jealous often means fear of losing someone or something. Envious means you want what another person has.

Is jealous a positive word?

Usually no. It often suggests unhappy feelings or bad reactions.

Can I say jealous of someone?

Yes, that is the most common pattern. Example: "She is jealous of her coworker."

Is jealous used in relationships?

Yes. It often describes fear, suspicion, or protectiveness in love and friendship.

← Dictionary

jealous

/ˈdʒel.əs/

IELTSAcademic

adjective

Feeling upset because someone has something, attention, or success that you want. It can also mean protecting a relationship and fearing losing it.

She felt jealous of her sister's success.
He was jealous when his friend got the prize.

Adinary Nuance

Jealous is not exactly the same as envious. Jealous often includes fear of losing something, especially in love or friendship. Envious mainly means you want what another person has. In everyday speech, people often mix them up.

In other languages

Vietnamese: ghen tị
Spanish: celoso
Chinese: 嫉妒的
Japanese: 嫉妬深い
Korean: 질투하는

Etymology

Jealous comes from Old French jalous, based on Latin zelosus, from Greek zēlos, meaning strong feeling, passion, or rivalry. In English, it has been used since the Middle Ages.

Common phrases

jealous ofjealous ragejealous boyfriendjealous feelings

Synonyms

envious possessive covetous

Related words

envy rivalry suspicious protective

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between jealous and envious?: Jealous often means fear of losing someone or something. Envious means you want what another person has.
Is jealous a positive word?: Usually no. It often suggests unhappy feelings or bad reactions.
Can I say jealous of someone?: Yes, that is the most common pattern. Example: "She is jealous of her coworker."
Is jealous used in relationships?: Yes. It often describes fear, suspicion, or protectiveness in love and friendship.