jealously
jealously — adverb
1. in a careful way that aims to keep or defend something you value highly, so that
in a careful way that aims to keep or defend something you value highly, so that others cannot take or damage it
The Watanabe family jealously guards its secret recipe for the popular matcha cake.
jealously guards + secret recipe / possession
Anjali jealously protected her grandfather's old camera from any damage during the move.
Farmers in this valley jealously preserve their traditional methods of growing green tea.
The museum staff jealously guarded the ancient scroll, allowing only experts to see it.
- protectively
focuses on the shielding aspect without the emotional edge of possessiveness
- carefully
less intense; suggests caution rather than emotional attachment
- possessively
adds a stronger sense of ownership and unwillingness to share
- carelessly
showing no concern for protection
- openly
sharing or exposing rather than guarding
文法句型
jealously + guard/protect/preserve
用法筆記
Commonly pairs with verbs of protection such as guard, protect, preserve, and defend. The object is typically something intangible like a reputation, tradition, or secret, or an object of great personal value.
常見錯誤
2. in a manner that keeps information hidden from others with great care, allowing
in a manner that keeps information hidden from others with great care, allowing no one else to know about it
The formula for the famous energy drink is a jealously kept secret.
passive: is a jealously kept secret
Felix kept his collection of rare stamps jealously hidden in a locked steel case.
The details of the peace deal were jealously guarded by both governments involved.
Shirin kept the location of her family cabin jealously hidden from everyone at the office.
- secretively
stresses the act of hiding without the emotional investment
- privately
less intense; simply not shared publicly
文法句型
jealously + kept/guarded/hidden
用法筆記
Frequently appears in passive constructions with kept or guarded ('a jealously kept secret / jealously guarded information'). The focus is on concealment rather than protection from damage.
3. used when someone acts with unhappiness or resentment because another person has
used when someone acts with unhappiness or resentment because another person has something — such as a promotion, a talent, or material goods — that they wish they had themselves
Dario watched jealously as his teammate lifted the trophy he had hoped to win.
Mizuki stared jealously at Kofi's new laptop on the library table.
The junior staff looked on jealously when Ramón got promoted after just one year.
Defne spoke jealously about her cousin's trip around South America.
- enviously
very close in meaning; 'enviously' focuses on desire for what others have, 'jealously' adds a hint of resentment
- resentfully
stronger negative feeling; implies bitterness rather than just longing
- begrudgingly
focuses on reluctant acknowledgment rather than active wanting
- generously
feeling happy for another person's good fortune
- contentedly
satisfied with what one has
文法句型
verb + jealously (watching, staring, speaking)
用法筆記
Often occurs with verbs of visual attention (watch, stare, look, gaze) or speech (talk, speak, remark). The source of envy is typically another person's achievement, possession, or advantage.
常見錯誤
4. with anger or unhappiness caused by the fear that someone you love may give thei
with anger or unhappiness caused by the fear that someone you love may give their attention or affection to another person
Reuben reacted jealously when his partner complimented the new neighbour's warm smile.
reacted jealously + romantic partner / attention from others
Yael glared jealously at the woman laughing with her boyfriend near the bar.
The play shows what can happen when a person behaves jealously without a real reason.
Lukas felt jealously suspicious every time his girlfriend mentioned her old school friend.
- possessively
stresses the desire to keep someone exclusively for oneself
- protectively
milder; focuses on caring rather than suspicion
- insecurely
highlights the underlying lack of confidence rather than the emotion itself
- trustingly
showing confidence in a partner's loyalty
- securely
feeling safe in the relationship
文法句型
verb + jealously (reacting, glaring, feeling)
用法筆記
The context clearly signals a romantic or emotionally intimate relationship. Unlike sense 3 (ENVIOUS), this sense is not about material possessions or achievements but about fear of losing affection.
常見錯誤
5. in a tone or manner that shows bitter resentment because you feel you have been
in a tone or manner that shows bitter resentment because you feel you have been treated unfairly or passed over — for example, when someone else receives an advantage you deserved
Theo complained jealously that the manager always gave the best shifts to his nephews.
complained jealously + resentment at perceived favoritism
When the award went to the judge's daughter, the other contestants muttered jealously about the unfair result.
The older employees watched jealously as new hires received better benefits than they had earned after years of service.
Lin argued jealously that the scholarship had been given because of connections, not merit.
- resentfully
close in meaning; focuses on the lingering bitterness rather than the active expression
- bitterly
emphasises the emotional pain and disappointment behind the resentment
- indignantly
adds a moral tone of righteous anger at unfairness
- fairly
accepting outcomes without complaint
- graciously
accepting even disappointing results with good manners
- contentedly
satisfied with one's own situation
文法句型
verb + jealously (complaining, arguing, muttering)
用法筆記
This sense differs from sense 3 (ENVIOUS) by focusing on anger at unfair treatment rather than simply wanting what someone else has. Common verbs include complain, argue, mutter, and watch — always in a context where the speaker feels wronged or overlooked.