YOUR VOCABULARY, ONE WORD AT A TIME
Avarice
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Meaning in plain English
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Pronunciation
Avarice/ˈævərɪs/
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Examples in context
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- The tycoon’s avarice drove him to exploit his workers for greater profit.
- Legends often warn of the downfall that follows unchecked avarice.
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The tycoon’s ________ drove him to exploit his workers for greater profit.
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Avarice — Extreme greed for wealth or material gain.
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Extreme greed for wealth or material gain.
Compare: The tycoon’s avarice drove him to exploit his workers for greater profit.
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Avarice is not ordinary ambition
Avarice is a formal noun for excessive greed for wealth or gain. It criticizes a motive, so wanting a fair salary or saving money does not by itself demonstrate avarice. The adjective is avaricious: compare avarice drove the character with an avaricious character.
In context: The story portrays a merchant whose avarice ruins his friendships.
Try it: Choose the form: “The novel criticizes the ruler’s ___ (avarice / avaricious).”
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Avarice. The possessive ruler’s needs a noun here. Use avaricious before a noun, as in the avaricious ruler.
Dictionary reference: Merriam-Webster: Avarice.
Word origin
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