adj

jealous

JEH-luhs

adj

Worried or suspicious that a partner's affection has shifted elsewhere.

"He got jealous whenever she talked to her ex."

"Jealous thoughts kept her up at night."

Resentful of someone else's advantage, success, or possessions.

"She was jealous of her sister's new car."

Fiercely protective of something valued.

"He was jealous of his privacy and rarely shared details of his life."

How to Use Jealous

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishFeeling threatened by rivalry in love, or resentful of what someone else has.

Common mistake

Jealous is usually about fearing loss of something you have (a partner's love); envious is wanting something someone else has. In casual speech people use them interchangeably, but the distinction is worth knowing.

Easily confused with

envious → zealous →

Common pairings

jealous of green with jealousy jealous boyfriend

Word Forms

jealouser comparative, more jealous comparative, jealoused past tense, jealouses singular, jealousest superlative, most jealous superlative

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Fill the Gap

Can you complete this real example?

He got _____ whenever she talked to her ex.

Etymology

From Old French "jalous," ultimately from Greek "zêlos" meaning zeal or fervent devotion — jealous and zealous share the same root.

Rhymes for jealous

yous nous pious joyous famous odious porous mucous Aldous heinous ominous curious

See all rhymes for jealous →