different between covetous vs selfish

English

Etymology

From Middle English coveitous, from Anglo-Norman *cuveitus, from Medieval Latin as if *cupiditosus, from Latin cupiditas (“desire”); see covet.

Pronunciation

• enPR: k?v'?t-?s, IPA^(key): /?k?v?t?s/

Adjective

covetous (comparative more covetous, superlative most covetous)

1. Extremely keen or desirous, especially to obtain and possess something belonging to someone else; avaricious.

Synonyms

• See also Thesaurus:greedy

Derived terms

• covetousness
• covetously

Related terms

• covet

Translations

Further reading

• covetous in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913.
• covetous in The Century Dictionary, New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911.

English

Etymology

From self +? -ish. Compare Danish selvisk (“selfish”), Swedish självisk (“selfish”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /?s?lf??/
• Rhymes: -?lf??

Adjective

selfish (comparative more selfish or selfisher, superlative most selfish or selfishest)

1. Holding one's own self-interest as the standard for decision making.
   • 1997, John Peniel, The Children Of The Law Of One & The Lost Teachings Of Atlantis, chapter 10, page 127

     “We all have both a selfish separate self, and an Inner Being that is One with the Universal Spirit. In this sense, every human has a sort of ‘split personality’. We are all kind of what you call ‘schitzy’ with these two sides, these two people living within us. And they are in total opposition. The free will dictates which of these two sides will have its way in our life, at every given moment.”

2. Having regard for oneself above others’ well-being.

Usage notes

• Said of people and their thoughts and actions, such as motives, desires, acts.

Synonyms

• egoistic
• egotistic
• egotistical
• self-centered
• greedy

Antonyms

• altruistic
• philanthropic
• selfless
• unselfish

Derived terms

• selfishly
• selfishness

Translations

See also

• self-serving

Anagrams

• Fishels, hisself