WordGarden.io
Back to search

greedily

A2
adverb

Pronunciation

UK

  • /ɡrˈiːdɪli/

US

  • /ˈɡridəli/

Description

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.

Examples

  1. 1

    Thirst

    After the run, she drank the cold water greedily.

  2. 2

    Food

    He greedily took the biggest piece of cake before anyone else could reach it.

  3. 3

    Investing

    Investors were greedily buying up cheap shares as the market fell.

    • Phrase

      buy up

      buy a lot of something

  4. 4

    Reporting

    Reporters listened greedily for any new details about the scandal.

    • Pattern

      listen greedily for + information

      want more information very eagerly

  5. 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