Vocabulary in context
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Avarice
An excessive desire to accumulate wealth or possessions; greed.
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Imagine This
Eva is very greedy because she likes to take all the rice from the buffet and stuff it into a hidden bowl in her coat to take home. We should always be considerate and show consideration for others.
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Sounds Like
AV-uh-riss
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Looks Like
Looks similar to the related adjective avaricious; shares the same root.
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Remember This
Avarice comes from Latin avaritia meaning greed or covetousness; related words include avaricious (adjective) and avariciousness (noun).
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Other Forms
avariciousadjective
avariciousnessnoun
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Connect With
greed, cupidity, acquisitiveness, rapacity, miserliness
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Note
Avarice denotes an extreme, morally charged greed. It is stronger and more judgmental than casual greed and is common in SAT-style passages.
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Study Deeper
Examples
- The financier's avarice led him to skim profits from every transaction.
- Her avarice prevented her from donating to charity, even when it would help those in need.
Synonyms
greedcupidityrapacityacquisitivenessmiserliness
Antonyms
generosityliberalityphilanthropy
Etymology
From Latin avaritia 'greed, covetousness', from avarus 'greedy'. The word entered English via Old French averice.
Mnemonic
AVARICE: Always Value Acquisition, Raking In Cash Endlessly.
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Similar Words
Related words and words with the same part of speech.
Cupidity
nounGreed for wealth or possessions; an insatiable desire for money or property.
Abasement
nounThe act or instance of humiliating or degrading someone; the state of being lowered in dignity or status.
Absurdity
nounThe quality or state of being wildly unreasonable, illogical, or ridiculous; something that is completely contrary to reason or common sense.
Accent
nounA distinctive way of pronouncing words; the act of emphasizing a syllable or word (as a verb, to accent means to emphasize).
Accolade
nounAn honor; a public expression of praise or an award.
Acrimony
nounBitterness of speech or manner; ill feeling
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