2 syllables: Co, vet. Stress on Co.
KUHV-uht
/ˈkʌvət/
Covet is pronounced KUHV-uht (/ˈkʌvət/). It has two syllables (Co-vet), with the stress on "Co". Covet is a noun meaning a strong, often disordinate desire to possess something belonging to another. It denotes longing that can be morally charged or problematically intense, typically tied to material or status‑related objects. In use, it can describe a persistent, almost obsessive wish that may conflict with ethical boundaries.
nounCovet is a noun meaning a strong, often disordinate desire to possess something belonging to another. It denotes longing that can be morally charged or problematically intense, typically tied to material or status‑related objects. In use, it can describe a persistent, almost obsessive wish that may conflict with ethical boundaries.
"She admitted her covet for the rival brand’s latest gadget, even though she already owned a similar model."
"The rumor spoke of a covet that gnawed at him, driving every purchase with envy of others’ success."
"In some cultures, covet is treated as a warning against letting desire override virtue."
Covet is pronounced with the stress on the first syllable: /ˈkɒv.ɪt/ in UK English and /ˈkɑː.vət/ or /ˈkɑː.vɪt/ in US English depending on vowel quality; US typically /ˈkəv.ɪt/ in rapid speech with a schwa in the first syllable. The key is a clear, short /ɒ/ or /ɒ/ sound in the first vowel and a quick /v/ followed by a short /ɪ/ or /ɪ/ in the second syllable. Move lips for the /v/, keep the tongue relaxed, and finish with a crisp /t/. Audio reference: you can compare with standard dictionaries or pronunciation tools to hear the exact vowel contrasts.
Common errors include reducing the first syllable to a neutral schwa too early (saying /ˈkə.vət/ with an unstable /kə/), and running the /v/ and /t/ together without a distinct stop, producing /ˈkɒ.vət/ or /ˈkɔv.ət/. Another pitfall is misplacing stress when the word appears in compound phrases; keep the primary stress on the first syllable regardless of sentence position. To correct, practice the two syllable sequence slowly, ensuring a crisp /v/ and clear final /t/.
In American English, expect a schwa or light /ə/ in the first syllable: /ˈkəv.ɪt/. In British English, the first vowel may be a short /ɒ/ or /ɒv/ depending on speaker, yielding /ˈkɒv.ɪt/; non-rhotic tendencies may soften post‑vocalic sounds. Australian English generally aligns with UK rhoticity patterns in careful speech; the first syllable tends to be /ˈkɒv.ɪt/ or /ˈkɔv.ɪt/ with clear /v/ and a clipped /t/. Focus on preserving initial stress and the /v/ plus final /t/ clarity.
Two primary challenges: first, the sequence /vɪ/ or /vət/ can be quick, causing the /v/ to blur with the following vowel; second, achieving crisp final /t/ after a voiced consonant can lead to a muffled stop in rapid speech. Additionally, the two‑syllable structure with a stressed first syllable demands precise articulation and vowel quality to avoid sounding like other verbs with similar endings. Practice identifying each phoneme and maintaining a short, firm release on /t/.
Covet uniquely features an unstressed or lightly stressed second syllable in many natural pronunciations while maintaining strong initial stress; the second syllable often features a reduced vowel sound, typically /ɪ/ or a schwa depending on accent. Distinctive articulation includes a prominent /v/ and a clean, unreleased or lightly released /t/ at the end. Practicing with minimal pairs like covet versus cover can help feel the subtle vowel shift and maintain rhythm.
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US: emphasize a rhotic, slightly more open vowel in the first syllable, with /ə/ or /ɪ/ quality; UK: closer to /ɒ/ in the first vowel, non-rhotic after the /ˈkɒv/ cluster; AU: similar to UK in vowel quality, with light lip rounding on /ɒ/; IPA references: /ˈkəv.ɪt/ (US), /ˈkɒv.ɪt/ (UK), /ˈkɒv.ɪt/ (AU).
Covet traces to the Old French word covet (from acheter, to buy) and the Latin word co‑vētāre, meaning to long for or desire eagerly. The root co‑- means together or with, and vot-, from vovere, to vow or wish, reflects desire or longing. In Middle English, covet appeared as co(v)et or covet, often used in moral and religious contexts, notably in religious texts warning against covetous behavior. Over time, the word broadened from moral caution to general desire for wealth, possessions, or status, while still carrying a moral undertone in many writers. Its first recorded uses date back to medieval English, with citations in legal and religious writings that warn against coveting what belongs to others. Today, covet retains its core sense of intense yearning, but remains comparatively less common in casual speech, where more neutral terms like desire or longing are often preferred. The word’s moral weight makes it a frequent target in literature and rhetorical prose.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "Covet" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "Covet" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "Covet"
-me) sounds
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