cupide
/ky.pid/
The English word "greedy" can be translated into French using cupide. Wiktionary also lists avide.
Meaning: having greed, consumed by selfish desires (adj)
Ways to say it
| French | IPA |
|---|---|
| cupide | /ky.pid/ |
| avide | /a.vid/ |
These terms describe someone consumed by selfish desires.
Which one should you use?
Use avide when describing an intense craving for things like power, knowledge or even food. If you mean 'greedy' in the sense of someone who loves eating too much, use gourmand instead of cupide or avide.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective avide is the same for both masculine and feminine subjects.
How do you pronounce it?
/ky.pid/
Did you know?
- Cupide is borrowed from the Latin word cupidus, which is also the root of the English word 'cupid'.
- In French, calling someone gourmand is often a way to describe a connoisseur or someone who enjoys life, whereas 'greedy' in English is almost always an insult.
- In French, avide is an epicene adjective, meaning it does not change its spelling or pronunciation between masculine and feminine subjects.
Examples in context
- Tom est très cupide.Tom is very greedy.This example shows how to use cupide to describe a person's character.Tatoeba #5419906 by Aiji, translation #3428663 by CK
- Il est égoïste et cupide.He is selfish and greedy.This example demonstrates using cupide alongside the word for selfish.Tatoeba #806170 by sacredceltic, translation #298460 by CK
- Il est avide et paresseux.He's greedy and lazy.This example illustrates how to use avide to describe someone's traits.Tatoeba #1925735 by sacredceltic, translation #1907949 by Spamster
- Il a une avidité sans limites pour l'argent.He has boundless greediness for money.
- Elle est connue pour sa gourmandise lors des fêtes.She is known for her greediness during parties.
- Leur cupidité les a menés à commettre des actes répréhensibles.Their greed led them to commit reprehensible acts.
- Il est vraiment gourmand , il ne peut jamais résister à un bon repas.He is really greedy, he can never resist a good meal.
- Charles est avide de pouvoir et fera tout pour l'obtenir.Charles is greedy for power and will do anything to obtain it.
- Les enfants étaient si goulus qu'ils ont mangé tous les bonbons.The children were so greedy that they ate all the candies.
- 15 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Léa and Gabriel are discussing a wealthy but selfish businessman.
- LéaCe patron est vraiment cupide.This boss is really greedy.
- GabrielOui, il ne pense qu'à l'argent.Yes, he only thinks about money.
- LéaC'est triste d'être aussi cupide.It is sad to be so greedy.
- GabrielC'est vrai, Gabriel est d'accord avec toi.That's true, Gabriel agrees with you.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “greedy” translations and entries cupide, avide, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries avide, cupide, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
