I am trying to write a paper, BUT this is more important

[daniturtle]

It was pointed out to me recently that the word "jealous" is misused entirely too often and I would like to set the record straight for you all. People often use "jealous" as a synonym for "envious". For example, "I am so jealous of your sweet new wigglebaum." This is not the correct use of the word. Jealousy is characterized by a fear of

Comments

[indieradiochic]

Whoa, I didn't even know that.

[smntstatus]

It makes sense that people would use "jealous" and "envious" interchangeably because envious is used twice in the definition above.

[daniturtle]

I didn't really like this definition, but you have to pay for the oxford-english dictionary online and I wasn't in the library when I wrote this. I think if you read all the definitions, there is a difference between the connotations of envy and jealousy.

[jacobrb02]

those dictionary definitions are ambiguous because of the repeat usage of jealousy and envy (a la jeremy's comment). Here's the best way to sum it up:

You can be envious of a dude for getting a hot new girlfriend, but jealous of him if he stole yours.

(or if you fear he might)