Speakur

Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

covet

/ˈkʌvɪt/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 2.82 in modern English

Syllables
cov-et
IPA
/ˈkʌvɪt/
10
Scrabble Score
5
Letters
2
Syllables
5
Unique Chars

Meaning

verb

To wish for with eagerness; to desire possession of, often enviously.

Transitive verb

verb

To long for inordinately or unlawfully; to hanker after (something forbidden).

Transitive verb

verb

To yearn; to have or indulge an inordinate desire, especially for another's possession.

Intransitive verb

Example Sentences

Etymology

From Middle English coveten, coveiten, coveyten, from Old French covoitier (modern French convoiter), from covoitié (“desire”), presumably modified from Latin cupiditas.

Origin

Word Breakdown

  • Root: coveten, covoitier, cupiditas

Usage

Inflected Forms

covets (present, singular) coveting (participle, present) coveted (participle, past) coveted (past)

Derived Forms

covetess coveting covetingly uncoveting

Frequently Paired Words

covetable coveter covetous

Synonyms

hanker

Questions

How do you pronounce covet?
The recorded pronunciation is /ˈkʌvɪt/.
What does covet mean?
To wish for with eagerness; to desire possession of, often enviously.
Where does covet come from?
It is traced to Middle English.

How to pronounce covet

  1. Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “covet”.
  2. Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/ˈkʌvɪt/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
  3. Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “covet”.
  4. Repeat and practice — Say “covet” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.