greedy

Meanings

1. 1adjectivenot comparable

   Wanting much more food, money, or things than you need, in a way that seems unfair to others.

   Grammar: Used before a noun or after linking verbs like be, seem, look: a greedy person; he seems greedy. Not usually used with 'very' in formal writing, but 'very greedy' is common in speech.

   Patterns

   • greedy for something
   • greedy for more
   • greedy with money

   The greedy child took all the cookies without asking.

   Some critics say the company is greedy for profit.

   He was too greedy with the money and lost his friends.

2. 2adjectivenot comparable

   Wanting to eat a lot of food, often more than is polite or healthy.

   Grammar: Often used to describe a person or an animal at a meal: 'Don't be greedy — leave some for others.'

   Patterns

   • greedy at the table
   • be greedy

   The dog was greedy and ate the whole bowl in seconds.

   Don't be greedy; save some cake for your sister.

Word forms

Common combinations

greedy for power

The politician was greedy for power and ignored the people.

greedy with money

He became greedy with money after winning the lottery.

greedy capitalist

The film portrays a greedy capitalist who exploits workers.

greedy and selfish

She called him greedy and selfish for not sharing.

too greedy

If you are too greedy, you may end up with nothing.

Synonyms and how they differ

avaricious

More formal and literary; it focuses on money and possessions rather than food.

gluttonous

Specifically about eating too much, not about money or power.

selfish

Focuses on lack of care for others, not necessarily on wanting more for yourself.

Opposites

Word family

greed noun

The desire to have more than you need.

greedily adverb

In a greedy way.

greediness noun

The quality of being greedy.

Commonly confused: greedy or ambitious?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “greedy”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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