What is the difference between being Envious and being Jealous?

Answer 1

They're basically the same.

Answer 2

Envious is a noun while jealous is an adjective. The first mentioned is use to describe a feeling of discontentment and wanting to have something that others have. Jealous is used to describe a feeling of insecurities against somebody whom is thought of as a rival.
Jealous of someone. Envious of some one's possession.

That's it!!

Answer 3

Envious means "a feeling of discontent and ill will because of another's advantages" (A student spiting that another's smarter than them)


Jealous means "resentfully suspicious of a rival or a rival's influence (husband jealous of other men).



Each though DO infact deal with wanting something the other has weither it's an object, talent, or beauty.

Answer 4

The difference between envious and jealous is that envious mean to admire the qualities or things that someone else has, and jealous means to maliciously admire the qualities or things someone else has.

Answer 5

Envious - showing extreme cupidity; painfully desirous of another's advantages

Jealous - suspicious or unduly suspicious or fearful of being displaced by a rival

Interestingly, onelook.com gives a secondary definition of "jealous" that matches "envious" perfectly --- so the terms, in a certain context, could be interchangeable.

Answer 6

Pretty much the same but I think that envious is a little more harsh, it's as though you don't think the person that has this item/lifestyle/whatever is worthy of it.

Where I think jealous is just that jealous, wish perhaps you could have such item/lifestyle or whatever?

Answer 7

Interesting question,though they are very interchangable words. To be perfectly literal. Jealousy is defined as:

jealous |ˈjeləs| adjective feeling or showing envy of someone or their achievements and advantages : he grew jealous of her success. • feeling or showing suspicion of someone's unfaithfulness in a relationship : a jealous boyfriend. • fiercely protective or vigilant of one's rights or possessions : Howard is still a little jealous of his authority | they kept a jealous eye over their interests. • (of God) demanding faithfulness and exclusive worship.


As you can see, the word envy is associated with jealousy, however if you look up envy, jealousy is not mentioned. Here is envy:

nvy |ˈenvē| noun ( pl. -vies) a feeling of discontented or resentful longing aroused by someone else's possessions, qualities, or luck : she felt a twinge of envy for the people on board. • ( the envy of) a person or thing that inspires such a feeling : their national health service is the envy of many in Europe.

Both of course are bad. It is rather difficult to ascertain which might be worse, but I did find it interesting that only jealousy mentions envy and not the reverse.

Answer 8

Jealousy has a little bit of hate in it, and envious is kind of the nicer way of saying it.

Answer 9

i don't think there is a difference except that envious is often used in a more positive sense, and jealousy is used as more of an ugly word.

Answer 10

There is no difference. There is however a big difference between admiration and envy or jealousy.

Answer 11

You envy somebody's possessions and you are jealous because somebody you love cheats you or you suspect them...or you simply love that person too much...I think...