The meaning of ENVY is painful or resentful awareness of an advantage enjoyed by another joined with a desire to possess the same advantage. How to use envy in a sentence. Envy is an emotion of wanting something that someone else has or lacks. Learn about the different types of envy , how it evolved in animals, and how to cope with it. Envy often stems from a sense of perceived superiority or a desire for personal validation. It can manifest in different ways, from mild admiration to intense covetousness. Envy can lead to negative thoughts and behaviors, such as jealousy, bitterness, or even malicious intent towards the person who possesses the desired qualities or possessions. Envy is the feeling of discontent or covetousness with regard to another's advantages, success, possessions, etc. Learn how to use the word envy as a noun or a verb, and see its synonyms and related words.