avarice
C1/C2Formal, literary
Definition
Meaning
Extreme greed for wealth or material gain.
An insatiable desire to accumulate and hoard material possessions or money, often at the expense of ethical considerations or the well-being of others. It is considered one of the seven deadly sins in Christian tradition.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Avarice is a formal and morally loaded noun denoting a vice. It implies a pathological, all-consuming focus on acquisition, distinct from simple desire or ambition. It is often used in religious, philosophical, or literary criticism contexts.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. The word is equally formal and literary in both varieties.
Connotations
Consistently negative, implying moral condemnation.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency in both varieties, primarily found in formal writing, sermons, and classic literature.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[subject's] avariceavarice for [object]avarice led to [consequence]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “The love of money is the root of all evil (related concept)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used critically in business ethics to condemn exploitative profit-seeking.
Academic
Used in philosophy, theology, literature, and economics to analyse a character flaw or social ill.
Everyday
Rare in casual conversation. Might be used for dramatic effect.
Technical
Not a technical term in most fields.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The director was accused of avaricing the company's pension funds. (Rare/archaic)
American English
- (No common verb form. Use 'to be avaricious' or 'to covet')
adverb
British English
- He eyed the collection avariciously. (derived from adjective)
American English
- She avariciously accumulated properties across the state.
adjective
British English
- The avaricious landlord raised rents exorbitantly.
American English
- His avaricious pursuit of the deal made others wary.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- His avarice for money was very strong.
- The king's avarice led him to tax the poor unfairly.
- The novel critiques the avarice underpinning the speculative finance of the era, depicting it as a corrosive social force.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'A VARice (very rice) - someone who hoards every grain of rice, showing extreme greed.'
Conceptual Metaphor
AVARICE IS A HOARDING INSTINCT / AVARICE IS A BURNING DESIRE / AVARICE IS A DISEASE OF THE SOUL
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'авария' (accident). The Russian near-equivalent is 'алчность' or 'корыстолюбие'. It is stronger than simple 'жадность' (greed).
Common Mistakes
- Using it as a countable noun (e.g., 'an avarice'). It is uncountable. Confusing it with 'avaricious' (the adjective).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the best synonym for 'avarice' in a formal, literary context?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Avarice is a more formal and intense synonym for greed, often implying a moral or spiritual failing, not just a strong desire.
No, it is exclusively a pejorative term denoting a vice.
No, it is a low-frequency, formal word. 'Greed' is far more common in everyday language.
The adjective is 'avaricious', as in 'an avaricious person'.