What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
covetous
Example
She felt covetous of her friend's new car. [covetous: adjective]
Example
His covetousness led him to steal from his own family. [covetousness: noun]
greedy
Example
He was so greedy that he ate the entire cake by himself. [greedy: adjective]
Example
The company's greed led to the exploitation of its workers. [greed: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Greedy is more commonly used than covetous in everyday language. Greedy is a versatile word that can be used in various contexts, while covetous is less common and has a slightly more formal tone.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between covetous and greedy?
Covetous is typically associated with a more formal and literary tone, while greedy is more commonly used in everyday language and can be employed in both formal and informal contexts.