Jealous
/ˈdʒɛl.əs/noun
Feeling or showing envy, suspicion, or possessive protectiveness.
Did you know?The word ultimately comes from the same ancient root as *zeal* and *zealous*, so its oldest energy was not insecurity but intense, almost sacred devotion.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*ǵel-
“to be yellowish-green; to be bright or glowing”
Greek
Greek
zêlos (ζῆλος)
“ardor, emulation, jealousy, fervent devotion”
Late Latin
Latin
zelōsus
“full of zeal; jealous”
Old French
Old French
jalos
“jealous, suspicious, envious”
Middle English
English
jalous
“jealous, suspicious of a rival”
Modern English
English
jealous
“feeling or showing envy or possessive suspicion”