covet

/ˈkʌvɪt/

Group 2Difficulty 1/3

Definition

(verb)
To yearn to possess or have something belonging to another
GRE

Example in Context

Rival companies had long coveted the startup's innovative technology, and the acquisition bidding war surprised no one in the industry.

Synonyms

desirecraveenvy

Etymology

Desiring something belonging to someone else — a strong yearning.

  • cupidus (Latin) — desirous

Memory Aid

😩Sounds like “covet sounds like 'covetous'

Imagine a person looking at their neighbor's new car with COVETous eyes, practically drooling!

Visual Association

👀A character peeking through a fence, eyes wide and watering, over a shiny new toy they desperately want.

Semantic Clusters

Synonym Groups

Frequently Asked Questions

What does “covet” mean on the GRE?

covet (verb) means “To yearn to possess or have something belonging to another”. Rival companies had long coveted the startup's innovative technology, and the acquisition bidding war surprised no one in the industry.

How to remember “covet” for the GRE?

Mnemonic: “covet” sounds like “covet sounds like 'covetous'”. Imagine a person looking at their neighbor's new car with COVETous eyes, practically drooling!

What are synonyms for “covet”?

Common synonyms: desire, crave, envy.