jealous

Everyday

1. Unhappy or upset because someone has something you want, such as a toy, success or attention. tree →
2. Worried that someone you love likes another person more than you. tree →

In the lessons

In feelings lessons, jealousy is a normal feeling; it helps to name it and talk about it instead of being unkind. In stories, a jealous character, like Cinderella's stepsisters, often causes trouble. Phrases: jealous of, feel jealous, green with jealousy.

Examples

• I felt jealous when my friend got a new bike. tree →
• Don't be jealous of your sister's prize. tree →
• The jealous stepsisters were mean to Cinderella. tree →
• It's normal to feel jealous sometimes. tree →
• He was jealous when his friend played with someone else. tree →
• Instead of being jealous, say "Well done!" tree →
• Rudy was jealous, and that made Babette happy. tree →

Note

Use "jealous of": "jealous of her". The noun is "jealousy". Spelling: j-e-a-l-o-u-s, said "JEL-us". People often mix up "jealous" and "envious"; "envious" is wanting what someone else has, and "jealous" is also used for that in everyday talk. "Green with envy" or "green-eyed monster" means jealousy.

In Jewish tradition

Used of God, it means demanding exclusive loyalty and not sharing worship with other gods. Used of people it means zealous or protective, and also envious, as when the people envied Moses and Aaron. The prophets say God is jealous for Zion and His land, meaning He cares fiercely for them.

Interpretation. Tradition reads God's jealousy as the love of a husband for his wife, the people Israel, who must be faithful to Him alone. Jealousy for Zion is read as God's passionate care that will bring the people back and punish their oppressors.

Examples

• For the LORD thy God is a devouring fire, a jealous God. (Torah DEU.4.24, JPS 1917) tree →
• For thou shalt bow down to no other god; for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God; (Torah EXO.34.14, JPS 1917) tree →
• And Moses said unto him: 'Art thou jealous for my sake? would that all the LORD'S people were prophets, that the LORD would put His spirit upon them!' (Torah NUM.11.29, JPS 1917) tree →
• Then was the LORD jealous for His land, and had pity on His people. (Prophets JOL.2.18, JPS 1917) tree →
• They were jealous also of Moses in the camp, and of Aaron the holy one of the LORD. (Writings PSA.106.16, JPS 1917) tree →
• 'Thus saith the LORD of hosts: I am jealous for Zion with great jealousy, and I am jealous for her with great fury. (Prophets ZEC.8.2, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Use "jealous of": "jealous of her". The noun is "jealousy". Spelling: j-e-a-l-o-u-s, said "JEL-us". People often mix up "jealous" and "envious"; "envious" is wanting what someone else has, and "jealous" is also used for that in everyday talk. "Green with envy" or "green-eyed monster" means jealousy.

Early Modern English

Meaning

Wanting complete loyalty and not allowing rivals; very protective of one's devotion. tree →

Then and now

Today jealous means unhappy because someone else has something you want. The old sense is closer to "zealous" in the first and third sentences, while the second sentence uses the modern sense.

Examples

• For the LORD thy God is a devouring fire, a jealous God. (Torah DEU.4.24, JPS 1917) tree →
• The jealous stepmother is “universally human.” (Cf. (English Fairy Tales) tree →
• For thou shalt bow down to no other god; for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God; (Torah EXO.34.14, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Today: demanding faithfulness.