What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
envious
Example
She was envious of her friend's new car. [envious: adjective]
Example
He looked at his neighbor's garden enviously, wishing he had the same green thumb. [enviously: adverb]
resentful
Example
She felt resentful towards her boss for not giving her a promotion. [resentful: adjective]
Example
He spoke resentfully about his ex-girlfriend, who had cheated on him. [resentfully: adverb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Envious and resentful are both commonly used words in everyday language, but envious is more frequently used than resentful.
Whatโs the difference in the tone of formality between envious and resentful?
Both envious and resentful are considered formal words, but they can also be used in informal contexts. However, resentful may be more commonly used in formal writing or speech.
