Feeling unhappy because someone else has something you want, like success, looks, or possessions. It often includes wishing you had what they have.
From Old French *envieus*, from Latin *invidiōsus*, from *invidia* meaning 'envy' or 'jealousy'. The Latin root literally connects to the idea of 'looking against' or 'looking at with hostility'.
Envious literally grew from a word about the way you look at someone—almost like giving them a dirty look in your mind. It shows how powerful our thoughts can be, even when we never say them out loud. The word blends emotion with vision, reminding us that envy starts with how we see others.
Stereotypes have often framed women, especially, as envious or jealous of one another’s appearance or relationships, reinforcing divisive narratives about women’s competitiveness. Similar emotions in men have sometimes been framed more neutrally as ambition or rivalry.
Use “envious” based on behavior or expressed feelings, not gender stereotypes, and avoid defaulting to depicting women or girls as especially envious in stories or examples. Where appropriate, focus on underlying needs or inequalities rather than moralizing envy.
["feeling left out","wishing for similar opportunities","covetous (formal)"]
Women writers and media critics have challenged portrayals of women as inherently envious or catty, advocating for more nuanced depictions of relationships and conflict.
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