tenth commandment: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal / Literary / Allusive
Quick answer
What does “tenth commandment” mean?
The biblical prohibition against coveting what belongs to a neighbour.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The biblical prohibition against coveting what belongs to a neighbour.
A cultural or humorous reference to feelings of jealousy or envy regarding someone else's possessions, spouse, or status, or a symbolic rule against excessive desire.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences. Both use the phrase identically.
Connotations
Slightly stronger religious cultural resonance in some US contexts, but the allusive/humorous use is common in both varieties.
Frequency
Low frequency in both, occurring primarily in religious, literary, or metaphorical discourse.
Grammar
How to Use “tenth commandment” in a Sentence
[Subject] breaks/violates the tenth commandment by [gerund phrase]The tenth commandment prohibits [noun phrase/gerund]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “tenth commandment” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He practically tenth-commandmented his way through life, always wanting his neighbour's latest gadgets.
- She was accused of tenth-commandmenting her friend's promotion.
American English
- He's been tenth-commandmenting his coworker's new truck for weeks.
- Stop tenth-commandmenting their vacation photos on social media.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Could be used metaphorically in ethics training regarding envy of a competitor's success.
Academic
Used in theology, religious studies, literature, and ethics discussions.
Everyday
Almost never used in literal sense. Occasionally used humorously or allusively: 'I'm breaking the tenth commandment over his new car.'
Technical
Not used in technical fields outside specific religious or philosophical discourse.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “tenth commandment”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “tenth commandment”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “tenth commandment”
- Using it to mean a literal tenth rule in a non-biblical list (e.g., 'the tenth commandment of our club...').
- Confusing it with other commandments about theft or adultery, which are separate.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a low-frequency, specialised phrase. It is used primarily in religious contexts or as a literary/humorous metaphor for envy.
Yes, when referring specifically to the biblical commandment, it is often capitalised as a proper noun ('the Tenth Commandment'). In metaphorical use, lower case is also acceptable.
It varies slightly by translation. A common version (Exodus 20:17) is: 'You shall not covet your neighbour's house... or anything that belongs to your neighbour.'
The commandment against theft (7th/8th) forbids the act of taking. The tenth commandment forbids the internal desire or jealousy that might lead to such an act, focusing on intent rather than action.
The biblical prohibition against coveting what belongs to a neighbour.
Tenth commandment is usually formal / literary / allusive in register.
Tenth commandment: in British English it is pronounced /ˌtenθ kəˈmɑːndmənt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌtenθ kəˈmændmənt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “to be guilty of the tenth commandment (to be envious)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'TEN' fingers wanting someTHING that is not THEIRS.'
Conceptual Metaphor
DESIRE IS A FORBIDDEN ACT (A 'COMMANDMENT' TO BE BROKEN).
Practice
Quiz
In modern allusive use, 'breaking the tenth commandment' most often means: