greed
[ greed ]
/ grid /
noun
excessive or rapacious desire, especially for wealth or possessions.
Origin of greed
First recorded in 1600–10; back formation from
greedy
SYNONYMS FOR greed
avarice,
avidity,
cupidity,
covetousness;
voracity,
ravenousness,
rapacity.
Greed,
greediness denote an excessive, extreme desire for something, often more than one's proper share.
Greed means avid desire for gain or wealth (unless some other application is indicated) and is definitely uncomplimentary in implication:
His greed drove him to exploit his workers.
Greediness, when unqualified, suggests a craving for food; it may, however, be applied to all avid desires, and need not be always uncomplimentary:
greediness for knowledge, fame, praise.
OTHER WORDS FROM greed
greed·less, adjective greed·some, adjectiveWords nearby greed
greco-,
greco-roman,
gree,
greebo,
greece,
greed,
greedy,
greedy guts,
greegree,
greek,
greek alphabet
Definition for greed (2 of 2)
gree
3
[ gree ]
/ gri /
verb (used with or without object), greed, gree·ing. British Dialect.
Origin of gree
3
late Middle English word dating back to 1375–1425; see origin at
gree2
Example sentences from the Web for greed
British Dictionary definitions for greed (1 of 4)
greed
/ (ɡriːd) /
noun
excessive consumption of or desire for food; gluttony
excessive desire, as for wealth or power
Derived forms of greed
greedless, adjectiveWord Origin for greed
C17: back formation from
greedy
British Dictionary definitions for greed (2 of 4)
gree
1
/ (ɡriː) /
noun Scot archaic
superiority or victory
the prize for a victory
Word Origin for gree
C14: from Old French
gré, from Latin
gradus step
British Dictionary definitions for greed (3 of 4)
gree
2
/ (ɡriː) /
noun obsolete
goodwill; favour
satisfaction for an insult or injury
Word Origin for gree
C14: from Old French
gré, from Latin
grātum what is pleasing; see
grateful
British Dictionary definitions for greed (4 of 4)
gree
3
/ (ɡriː) /
verb grees, greeing or greed
archaic, or dialect
to come or cause to come to agreement or harmony
Word Origin for gree
C14: variant of
agree