avaricious

/ˌævəˈrɪʃəs/ (bre, ipa) · /ˌævəˈrɪʃəs/ (ame, ipa) · /ˌa-və-ˈri-shəs/ (ame, mw)

avaricious — adjective

  • avariciouspositive
  • more avariciouscomparative
  • most avaricioussuperlative

1. having or showing a desire for money and valuable things that is so strong it co

1.形容詞C1
釋義

having or showing a desire for money and valuable things that is so strong it controls your choices and behaviour

例句

The avaricious landlord raised the rent each year, ignoring the tenants' growing needs.

avaricious landlord

An avaricious banker, Mr. Okonkwo cared only about his growing fortune, never about his clients.

同義詞
  • greedy

    more common and general; can apply to food, power, money, or attention (B1–B2 level)

  • covetous

    strongly wanting something that belongs to someone else; more literary

  • rapacious

    aggressively greedy, often implying violent or ruthless taking

  • acquisitive

    more neutral; describes a strong tendency to collect or buy things, not necessarily disapproving

反義詞
  • generous

    willing to give money or help freely

  • selfless

    caring more about others' needs than one's own

文法句型

be + avaricious

avaricious + noun

用法筆記

Strongly disapproving. Unlike the more common word greedy, avaricious is almost always limited to a desire for money or material wealth — not for food, power, or attention. Frequently used in formal writing and literary criticism.

常見錯誤

❌The child was avaricious and ate three slices of cake.
✅The child was greedy and ate three slices of cake.
💡Avaricious describes desire for money or possessions, not for food.
❌She was avaricious for fame and would do anything to be noticed.
✅She was avaricious for wealth and spent every waking hour increasing her fortune.
💡Avaricious specifically targets money and valuable things, not recognition.