greedy

adjective

ˈgrē-dē 

greedier; greediest

1

: marked by greed : having or showing a selfish desire for wealth and possessions

greedy creditors

2

: eager, keen

greedy for fame

3

: having a strong desire for food or drink

a predator greedy of its prey

greedily

ˈgrē-də-lē 

adverb

greediness

ˈgrē-dē-nəs 

noun

Synonyms

• acquisitive
• avaricious
• avid
• coveting
• covetous
• grabby
• grasping
• mercenary
• moneygrubbing
• rapacious

Choose the Right Synonym for greedy

covetous, greedy, acquisitive, grasping, avaricious mean having or showing a strong desire for especially material possessions.

covetous implies inordinate desire often for another's possessions.

covetous of his brother's country estate

greedy stresses lack of restraint and often of discrimination in desire.

greedy for status symbols

acquisitive implies both eagerness to possess and ability to acquire and keep.

an eagerly acquisitive mind

grasping adds to covetous and greedy an implication of selfishness and often suggests unfair or ruthless means.

a hard grasping businesswoman who cheated her associates

avaricious implies obsessive acquisitiveness especially of money and strongly suggests stinginess.

an avaricious miser

Examples of greedy in a Sentence

He was a ruthless and greedy businessman.

There's no need to get greedy—there's plenty for everyone.

He blames all his problems on greedy lawyers.

Recent Examples on the Web

Some wonder what's wrong with American society; some see a wakeup call for greedy health insurers. —Thomas G. Moukawsher, Newsweek, 17 Dec. 2024

Even as a single, childless woman, which society calls failure, my life always felt charmed, so charmed that asking God for more felt greedy. —Essence, 17 Dec. 2024

The report also found certain antisemitic tropes, some that date back to Shakespeare’s times — the greedy Shylock, the nebbish man, the overbearing Jewish mother — are still alive. —Seth Abramovitch, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Dec. 2024

On a deeply personal level there are cultural stereotypes that portray financial ambition as greedy. —Melissa Houston, Forbes, 7 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English gredy, from Old English grǣdig; akin to Old High German grātac greedy

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Kids Definition

greedy

adjective

ˈgrēd-ē 

greedier; greediest

1

: having a keen appetite

2

: having an eager and often selfish desire or longing

greedy for praise

3

: wanting more than one needs or more than one's fair share (as of food)

greedily

ˈgrēd-ᵊl-ē 

adverb

greediness

ˈgrēd-ē-nəs 

noun