Greedy

Quick meaning: Greedy is an adjective meaning Having greed; consumed by selfish desires.

Meaning

Having greed; consumed by selfish desires.

More Meanings

1. Prone to overeat.
2. (regular expressions) Tending to match as much text as possible.
3. (computer science, of an algorithm) That tries to find the global optimum by finding the local optimum at each stage.
4. (archaic) Greedily sought or pursued.

Example Sentences

This regular expression performs a greedy match.

“[…] Churchill, my dear fellow, we have such greedy sharks, and wolves in lamb's clothing. Oh, dear, there's so much to tell you, so many warnings to give you, but all that must be postponed for the moment.”

Suppoſe they be in number infinit, Yet being voyd of Martiall diſcipline, All running headlong after greedie ſpoiles: […] Their careleſſe ſwords ſhal lanch their fellows throats And make vs triumph in their ouerthrow.

For with ſuch puiſſance and impetuous maine / Thoſe Champions broke on them, that forſt the fly, / Like ſcattered Sheepe, whenas the Shepherds ſwaine / A Lyon and a Tigre doth eſpye, / With greedy pace forth ruſhing from the foreſt nye.

Word Forms

• greedier
• greediest

Synonyms for greedy

Depending on context, synonyms include gluttonous, acquisitive, avaricious, cormorant, covetous, edacious.

Antonyms for greedy

Common opposites include lazy, nongreedy, reluctant.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include grasping, avaricious, covetous, avid, esurient, desirous.

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