Envies

Envies is the third-person singular present tense of the verb envy. The verb means to regard with discontent or covet what someone else possesses or has achieved. For example, “She envies her sister’s success.” As a grammatical form, envies conjugates with subject pronouns (I envy, you envy, he envies, we envy, they envy).

Env y as a noun refers to the feeling itself: envy is the discontent or resentful longing aroused by someone else’s advantages, qualities, or possessions. The emotion can range from mild curiosity to strong resentment and may or may not lead to actions against the envied person. In some contexts, envy is discussed alongside jealousy, though the terms describe distinct ideas: envy involves desiring what another has, while jealousy centers on fear of losing something one already holds.

Etymology traces envy to the Latin invidia, via Old French envie, with English usage recorded in the Middle Ages. The word has long carried moral and social associations, reflecting how social comparison can influence behavior and judgment.

Psychological and cultural perspectives consider envy a common and often mixed emotion. It can motivate self-improvement or strategic behavior, but it can also fuel hostility, resentment, or social undermining. In literature and religion, envy is frequently depicted as a vitiating force or a vice to be overcome, though some modern discussions distinguish between destructive envy and constructive forms that prompt personal growth.

Overall, envies as a verb form and envy as a noun describe a broadly observed human feeling tied to social comparison, often influenced by cultural norms and personal circumstances.