a feeling of grudging admiration and desire to have something that is possessed by another
"She felt a deep envy as she watched her colleague receive the promotion while remaining in her own role."
Resentful desire of something possessed by another or others (but not limited to material possessions).
"She felt a deep envy when her friend received the promotion she had worked so hard for."
In plain English: Envy is feeling unhappy and wanting something that someone else has.
"She felt envy when she saw her friend's new car."
Usage: Use "envy" as a noun when referring to the feeling itself, but switch to "jealousy" if you mean fear of losing something one already possesses. Avoid using "envious" as an adjective before nouns like "person"; instead, place it after the verb or use "jealous."
feel envious towards; admire enviously
"She felt envy toward her colleague's recent promotion and secretly admired how hard they had worked to achieve it."
To feel displeasure or hatred towards (someone) for their good fortune or possessions.
"The rival felt a deep envy toward his competitor's sudden promotion and wished him nothing but failure."
In plain English: To envy someone is to feel unhappy because they have something you want but do not possess yourself.
"I envy my friend for her new car."
The word "envy" comes from the Latin verb invidere, meaning "to look at with malice." It entered English through Middle and Old French, replacing an earlier native Germanic term.