greedy

adjective

ˈgrē-dē How to pronounce greedy (audio)
greedier; greediest
Synonyms of greedynext
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 How to pronounce greedy (audio)
adverb
greediness
ˈgrē-dē-nəs How to pronounce greedy (audio)
noun

Synonyms

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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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Yearning for physical perfection—encouraged by a greedy beauty culture intent on feeding it—is a debilitating waste of energy. — Valerie Monroe, Allure, 28 Mar. 2025 In 1545, Spanish colonizers greedy for precious metals established a mining town named Potosí in current-day Bolivia, more than 13,000 feet high, at the foot of a mountain that was rumored to be made of silver. — Tim Vernimmen, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 Mar. 2025 That’s what Elliot (Rudd) and his daughter Ridley (Ortega) confront while on a journey to a retreat hosted by Elliot’s greedy crackpot boss (Grant). — Randy Myers, The Mercury News, 21 Mar. 2025 The Blue Bloods and Sopranos vet will recur in Paramount+ With Showtime’s Dexter: Resurrection as Vinny, a greedy slumlord, our sister site Variety reports. — Vlada Gelman, TVLine, 17 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for greedy

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of greedy was before the 12th century

Rhymes for greedy

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Browse Nearby Words

greed
greedy
greedy scale
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Cite this Entry

“Greedy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/greedy. Accessed 1 Apr. 2025.

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Kids Definition

greedy

adjective
ˈgrēd-ē How to pronounce greedy (audio)
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 How to pronounce greedy (audio)
adverb
greediness
ˈgrēd-ē-nəs How to pronounce greedy (audio)
noun

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