greed
UK: ɡriːd | US: ɡrid
n. intense and selfish desire for something, especially wealth or power
The word "greed" originates from Old English grǣd or grǣdig, meaning "hunger" or "voracious desire." It is related to the Proto-Germanic grēdaz, which conveys a sense of eagerness or craving. Over time, the term narrowed in meaning to focus specifically on excessive or selfish desire, particularly for material possessions. Unlike many modern English words, "greed" remains monomorphic—its spelling and structure do not lend themselves to further division into prefixes, roots, or suffixes without violating morpheme integrity.
His greed for money led him to exploit his employees.
The corporation's greed resulted in environmental destruction.
She criticized the greed of politicians who accepted bribes.
Greed often blinds people to the consequences of their actions.
The fairy tale warns against the dangers of greed and selfishness.