jealous

UK: /ˈdʒɛləs/ US: /ˈdʒɛləs/ ,( jel′əs)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

jeal•ous /ˈdʒɛləs/   adj. 

1. • full of a feeling of resentment or anger about someone's success, achievements, advantages, etc.;
     envious:
     a jealous colleague.
     [be + ~ + of + obj]:
     to be jealous of a rich brother.
   • aroused or caused by such feeling:
     a jealous rage.
2. overly watchful in guarding something, so as to be suspicious of unfaithfulness:
   a jealous husband.
3. alertly watchful in guarding possessions:
   squirrels jealous of their winter supply of nuts.

jeal•ous•ly, adv. 

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

jeal•ous  ( jel′əs), adj. 

1. feeling resentment against someone because of that person's rivalry, success, or advantages (often fol. by of ):
   He was jealous of his rich brother.
2. feeling resentment because of another's success, advantage, etc. (often fol. by of ):
   He was jealous of his brother's wealth.
3. characterized by or proceeding from suspicious fears or envious resentment:
   a jealous rage; jealous intrigues.
4. inclined to or troubled by suspicions or fears of rivalry, unfaithfulness, etc., as in love or aims:
   a jealous husband.
5. solicitous or vigilant in maintaining or guarding something:
   The American people are jealous of their freedom.
6. Bible intolerant of unfaithfulness or rivalry:
   The Lord is a jealous God.

• Vulgar Latin *zēlōsus, equivalent. to Late Latin zēl(us) zeal + ōsus -ose¹
• Old French gelos (French jaloux)
• Middle English jelous, gelos 1175–1225

jeal′ous•ly, adv. 
jeal′ous•ness, n. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

jealous / ˈdʒɛləs/ adjective

1. suspicious or fearful of being displaced by a rival
2. often postpositive and followed by of: resentful (of) or vindictive (towards), esp through envy
3. often postpositive and followed by of: possessive and watchful in the maintenance or protection (of)
4. characterized by or resulting from jealousy
5. demanding exclusive loyalty: a jealous God
6. an obsolete word for zealous

Etymology: 13th Century: from Old French gelos, from Medieval Latin zēlōsus, from Late Latin zēlus emulation, jealousy, from Greek zēlos zeal

ˈjealously adverb