Definition of GREEDY
GREEDY Adjective
Greedy is an adjective that describes individuals who have an insatiable desire for material wealth, possessions, or resources, often at the expense of others. Here are several key aspects of being greedy:
Insatiable Desire for Wealth: Greedy individuals possess an insatiable desire for material wealth and resources, constantly seeking to accumulate more money, possessions, or assets, regardless of their actual needs or the impact on others.
Selfish Pursuit of Gain: Greedy behavior is characterized by a selfish pursuit of personal gain, with individuals prioritizing their own interests and desires over the well-being of others, often at the expense of fairness, integrity, or ethical principles.
Lack of Consideration for Others: Greedy individuals demonstrate a lack of consideration for the needs, rights, or feelings of others, showing little empathy or concern for how their actions may negatively affect others’ lives or livelihoods.
Hoarding and Acquisitiveness: Greedy individuals tend to hoard and accumulate possessions, resources, or wealth, unwilling to share or distribute their resources to benefit others, even when they have more than enough to meet their own needs.
Overall, being greedy entails an insatiable desire for material wealth, a selfish pursuit of personal gain, a lack of consideration for others, and a tendency to hoard resources, reflecting a narrow focus on one’s own interests at the expense of others.
Examples of GREEDY in a sentence
- His greedy behavior led him to take more than his fair share of the profits.
- The greedy businessman exploited his workers by paying them below minimum wage.
- The greedy squirrel hoarded nuts for the winter, leaving none for its fellow creatures.
- She accused her greedy siblings of trying to claim their fair inheritance.
- The greedy corporation prioritized profit over environmental conservation.
- The greedy politician was involved in numerous corruption scandals.
- The cat’s greedy eyes were fixed on the fish in the bowl.
- In fairy tales, the antagonist is often portrayed as greedy, seeking wealth and power at any cost.
Etymology of GREEDY
The term greedy has a linguistic history that can be traced back through various languages, reflecting its evolution in meaning and usage over time.
- Old English Origins: The term “greedy” finds its earliest roots in Old English, where it was derived from the word “grædig,” meaning “hungry” or “avid.” In its original context, “greedy” was primarily associated with a strong desire for food or sustenance.
- Germanic Influence: The Old English word “grædig” itself has Germanic origins, sharing etymological connections with related words in German and other Germanic languages. In German, for example, “gierig” also means “greedy” or “avaricious.”
- Evolution in Middle English: Over time, the meaning of “greedy” expanded beyond its original association with hunger to encompass a broader range of desires, particularly an excessive or insatiable desire for wealth, possessions, or resources. This shift in meaning occurred during the Middle English period as societal attitudes towards wealth and materialism evolved.
- Integration into Modern English: The term “greedy” continued to be used in its expanded sense in Modern English, referring to individuals who are excessively desirous or acquisitive, often at the expense of others. It has become a common descriptor for behaviors characterized by selfishness, avarice, or an insatiable appetite for more.
The term greedy thus reflects a linguistic journey from its Old English roots, through influences from Germanic languages, to its modern usage in English, where it describes individuals or actions motivated by excessive desire or selfishness.
Synonyms
- Avaricious
- Rapacious
- Covetous
- Grasping
- Mercenary
- Selfish
- Gluttonous
- Voracious
Antonyms
- Generous
- Selfless
- Benevolent
- Moderate
- Content
- Altruistic
- Self-sacrificing
- Satisfied
Related
- Greed
- Selfishness
- Avarice
- Rapacity
- Acquisitiveness
- Covetousness
- Self-indulgence
- Materialism
🌐 🇬🇧 GREEDY in other languages
| Spanish 🇪🇸 | Avaro |
| French 🇫🇷 | Cupide |
| German 🇩🇪 | Gierig |
| Chinese (simpl) 🇨🇳 | 贪婪的 |
| Chinese (trad) 🇨🇳 | 貪婪的 |
| Italian 🇮🇹 | Avido |
| Portuguese 🇵🇹 | Ambicioso |
| Dutch 🇳🇱 | Hebberig |
| Swedish 🇸🇪 | Girig |
| Norwegian 🇳🇴 | Grådig |
| Finnish 🇫🇮 | Ahne |
| Romanian 🇷🇴 | Lacom |
| Polish 🇵🇱 | Chciwy |
| Hungarian 🇭🇺 | Kapzsi |
| Czech 🇨🇿 | Chamtivý |
| Bulgarian 🇧🇬 | Алчен |
| Ukrainian 🇺🇦 | Жадібний |
| Russian 🇷🇺 | Жадный |
| Turkish 🇹🇷 | Aç gözlü |
| Azerbaijani 🇦🇿 | Acgöz |
| Armenian 🇦🇲 | Ագահ |
| Arabic 🇸🇦 | طماع |
| Hebrew 🇮🇱 | רודף בצע |
| Urdu 🇵🇰 | لالچی |
| Farsi/Persian 🇮🇷 | حریص |
| Hindi 🇮🇳 | लालची |
| Bengaleli/se 🇧🇩 | লোভী |
| Marathi 🇮🇳 | लोभी |
| Telugu 🇮🇳 | అత్యాశకరమైన |
| Tamil 🇮🇳 | பேராசை |
| Gujarati 🇮🇳 | લોભી |
| Kannada 🇮🇳 | ದುರಾಸೆಯ |
| Odia (Orya) 🇮🇳 | ଲୋଭୀ |
| Malayalam 🇮🇳 | അത്യാഗ്രഹി |
| Punjabi 🇮🇳 | ਲਾਲਚੀ |
| Sinhala/ese 🇱🇰 | කෑදරයි |
| Nepali 🇳🇵 | लोभी |
| Burmese 🇲🇲 | လောဘကြီး |
| Thai 🇹🇭 | โลภ |
| Vietnamese 🇻🇳 | Tham |
| Malay 🇲🇾 | tamak |
| Indonesian 🇮🇩 | Tamak |
| Tagalog 🇵🇭 | Matakaw |
| Japanese 🇯🇵 | よく深い |
| Korean 🇰🇷 | 탐욕스러운 |
| Oromo 🇪🇹 | Ofittoo |
| Somali 🇸🇴 | Bakhaylnimo |
| Amharic 🇪🇹 | ስግብግብ |
| Swahili 🇹🇿 | Mwenye pupa |
| Yoruba 🇳🇬 | Olojukokoro |
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