greedily
A2Pronunciation
UK
- /ɡrˈiːdɪli/
US
- /ˈɡridəli/
Description
- eagerly
- ravenously
- selfishly
- excessively
Imagine a little puppy finding a bowl of treats. It does not nibble politely; it devours them quickly and keeps wanting more. That is the feeling "greedily" gives. It describes doing something with strong, selfish eagerness, often by taking or using more than is needed. Someone might greedily grab the last cookie from a jar, or a company might greedily use up natural resources for profit. The word suggests little self-control and a strong wish to get more for oneself.
Think of Gollum from The Lord of the Rings and his obsession with "his precious" that is a clear example of acting greedily. It is not just about wanting something; it is about wanting all of it, and wanting it now.
"Greedily" describes doing something with intense eagerness, often in a selfish or excessive way. It goes beyond simply wanting something; it suggests such a strong desire that a person takes more than their fair share, consumes too fast, or uses a situation for personal benefit without thinking much about others.
The root of "greedily" is "greed," which means an excessive and selfish desire for wealth, power, or possessions. The adverb focuses on the way someone acts on that desire. A child might greedily grab all the toys at playtime and refuse to share. A corrupt politician might greedily accept bribes, caring more about personal gain than public service.
It is not always limited to money or food. A person can greedily soak up information, reading book after book and always wanting more. A character in a story might greedily listen to gossip, eager to collect every detail and use it later. In each case, the common thread is strong desire without much restraint.
The adverb often creates a vivid picture of haste and hunger. Think of a starving person greedily wolfing down a meal, or someone greedily grabbing every chance to make more money. It is a strong word that suggests an unchecked search for satisfaction, often at the expense of fairness, other people, or future consequences. If someone acts with intense, self-centered eagerness and little concern for limits, they are behaving greedily.
Examples
- 1
Thirst
After the run, she drank the cold water greedily.
- 2
Food
He greedily took the biggest piece of cake before anyone else could reach it.
- 3
Investing
Investors were greedily buying up cheap shares as the market fell.
Phrase
buy up
buy a lot of something
- 4
Reporting
Reporters listened greedily for any new details about the scandal.
Pattern
listen greedily for + information
want more information very eagerly
- 5
Business growth
The company kept greedily chasing growth, even when it was already making huge profits.
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- greedilyadverb