What's the main difference between "jealous" and "envy"?
Native speaker’s answer
Rebecca
The main difference is that "envy" is when someone else has what you want. "Jealousy" occurs when something you already have is threatened and you don't want to lose it. It's common, though, to use "jealousy" for both of these things. Ex: I'm envious that you get to go on vacation while I work. Ex: Your girlfriend Sarah gets jealous when you talk to other girls, Andrew. Ex: Oh man! You get the new gaming system?! I'm so jealous. => common use of "jealousy" as "envy".