greed

Pronunciation: /ɡɹiːd/

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: C1 — Advanced

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun excessive desire to acquire or possess more (especially more material wealth) than one needs or deserves
  2. noun reprehensible acquisitiveness; insatiable desire for wealth (personified as one of the deadly sins)

Etymology

c. 1600. Back-formation from greedy.

In classic literature

Semantic network

Broader (hypernyms)
desire
Narrower (hyponyms)
avarice, possessiveness, acquisitiveness

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