avarice

[av-er-is]

noun

1. insatiable greed for riches; inordinate, miserly desire to gain and hoard wealth.

   Synonyms: cupidity

avarice

/ ˈævərɪs /

noun

1. extreme greed for riches; cupidity

Other Word Forms

• avariciousness noun
• avaricious adjective
• avariciously adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of avarice¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English, from Old French, from Latin avāritia, equivalent to avār(us) “greedy” + -itia -ice

Word History and Origins

Origin of avarice¹

C13: from Old French, from Latin avaritia, from avārus covetous, from avēre to crave

Example Sentences

Behind the rhetoric of sisterhood lurks avarice and greed.

From Los Angeles Times

“The record will ultimately demonstrate that this is nothing more than a manufactured lawsuit intended to tarnish the good names of Smokey and Frances Robinson, for no other reason than unadulterated avarice,” the statement read.

From Los Angeles Times

Ellis-Taylor, meanwhile, brings a palpable heartache to “Nickel Boys” as a devoted grandmother sidelined by inequality and avarice.

From Los Angeles Times

But some of the most striking examples are not of intentional cruelty or blatant avarice but of simple blind spots.

From Salon

He embraces cruelty, violence, greed, avarice, selfishness, revenge, lying, lust and dissembling.

From Salon