begrudge: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples

It is more common in written and formal spoken English, but it is perfectly acceptable in everyday conversation when discussing feelings of resentment or envy.

'Envy' is the broader feeling of wanting what someone else has. 'Begrudge' adds a layer of active resentment and often implies a specific context of being unwilling to give or acknowledge that they should have it. You can envy someone secretly, but you begrudge them something by holding it against them.

Almost never. Its core meaning involves reluctance and resentment. The closest to positive is in negative constructions like 'I don't/can't begrudge you...', which expresses a lack of resentment.

1) Someone begrudges someone something (e.g., 'She begrudged him his success'). 2) Someone begrudges something (e.g., 'He begrudged the expense'). 3) Someone begrudges doing something (e.g., 'I begrudge paying that much').

To give, allow, or concede something (especially something of value or a positive state) with reluctance, resentment, or envy.

Begrudge: in British English it is pronounced /bɪˈɡrʌdʒ/, and in American English it is pronounced /bɪˈɡrʌdʒ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.