The word Coveted Meaning greatly desired or wanted, especially because something is valuable, special, rare, or attractive to many people. It often describes something that people hope to own, achieve, or receive.
For example, if someone wins a coveted award, it means the award is highly desirable and something many people would love to win.
The word can describe almost anything people consider valuable, including a dream job, a scholarship, a championship trophy, a popular product, or a special opportunity. Its meaning is usually positive or neutral, although it can sometimes suggest jealousy or an excessive desire for something that belongs to another person.
What Does Coveted Mean?
According to standard English dictionary usage, coveted means strongly desired or eagerly wanted. It is commonly used as an adjective to describe something that many people consider desirable or worth having.
Here are a few simple examples:
- A coveted job: A position that many people want.
- A coveted prize: An award that people are eager to win.
- A coveted ticket: A ticket that is difficult to get and highly desirable.
- A coveted opportunity: A chance that many people would love to receive.
Imagine that hundreds of students apply for a scholarship, but only a few receive it. That scholarship could be called coveted because it is highly desirable and not everyone can obtain it.
In simple words, coveted means wanted very much, often by many people.
How Is Coveted Used in Everyday English?
The word coveted is useful when ordinary words such as wanted or desired do not fully express how attractive something is.
At Work
People often use coveted for promotions, leadership positions, or opportunities that attract many qualified candidates.
Example: “After years of hard work, Sara earned the coveted position of team manager.”
This means the position was highly desirable, and Sara was fortunate or successful in obtaining it.
In Education
The word can describe scholarships, university places, academic awards, and other achievements.
Example: “He received a coveted scholarship to study engineering.”
The scholarship was something many students wanted to earn.
In Sports and Entertainment
Trophies, championships, awards, and exclusive invitations are often described as coveted because they are valuable achievements or difficult to obtain.
Example: “The team finally won the coveted championship trophy.”
This emphasizes how much the team wanted the trophy and how meaningful the victory was.
In Shopping and Fashion
A limited-edition handbag, a popular pair of sneakers, or a rare collectible may become a coveted item.
Example: “The limited-edition sneakers quickly became a coveted item among collectors.”
Here, coveted suggests that many people wanted the sneakers, perhaps because they were rare, fashionable, or hard to find.
Coveted Meaning in Texting and on Social Media
Coveted is not a texting abbreviation or a special slang term. It is a standard English word that people can use in messages, social media captions, comments, and online discussions.
Its meaning stays the same in different settings: something is highly desired or sought after.
For example:
- Instagram: “Finally got my hands on the coveted sneakers!”
- TikTok: “That recipe is the coveted secret everyone wants to know.”
- WhatsApp: “Did you get the coveted concert tickets?”
- Facebook: “She won the coveted photography award.”
In these examples, the word adds emphasis. It makes the object or achievement sound especially desirable.
In casual conversations, people might choose simpler words such as wanted, popular, or hard to get. However, coveted works well when they want to sound more expressive or precise.
Coveted Meaning in Different Contexts
Although the basic definition remains the same, the feeling behind the word can change depending on the situation.
| Context | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Achievement | Highly valued success | She earned the coveted award. |
| Possessions | Something many people want | He bought a coveted collectible. |
| Career | A desirable opportunity | She secured a coveted position. |
| Competition | Something people compete to win | The finalists fought for the coveted title. |
| Personal desire | Something someone strongly wants | He coveted his neighbor’s expensive car. |
The last example highlights an important distinction. Coveted often describes desirable things positively, but the related verb covet can imply envy or an excessive desire for something another person owns. This negative implication depends on context.
Coveted vs. Wanted: What Is the Difference?
Both words express desire, but they are not always interchangeable.
- Wanted is a broad, everyday word. It simply means someone wants something.
- Coveted suggests that something is especially desirable, valuable, or sought after, often by many people.
Consider these examples:
- “I wanted a new phone.” This describes a personal desire.
- “The limited-edition phone became a coveted item.” This suggests that the phone attracted strong interest because of its desirability or exclusivity.
Use wanted for ordinary situations and coveted when you want to emphasize how desirable something is.
Synonyms and Related Words for Coveted
Several words have similar meanings, but each has a slightly different emphasis.
- Desired: Wanted or wished for.
- Sought-after: Popular and wanted by many people.
- Prized: Highly valued or treasured.
- Longed-for: Wanted for a long time.
- Enviable: So desirable that others may wish they had it.
- Covetous: Describes a person who strongly desires something, especially something belonging to another person.
For example, a prized possession is something someone values highly, while a sought-after job is one that attracts many applicants.
These alternatives can help you choose the right word for your sentence.
How to Use Coveted Correctly in a Sentence
The word coveted most commonly appears before a noun, as in “a coveted award” or “the coveted position.” It can also appear after a linking verb, as in “The position is highly coveted.”
Here are some additional examples:
- Winning the competition earned her a coveted place on the national team.
- The company offers one of the industry’s most coveted internships.
- Everyone wanted the coveted front-row seats at the concert.
- His collection includes several coveted vintage watches.
- The restaurant finally received the coveted five-star rating.
A useful tip is to pair coveted with something that people genuinely value, compete for, or hope to obtain. This makes the sentence sound natural.
Is Coveted Formal or Informal?
Coveted is a standard English word that works in both formal and informal contexts. It is particularly common in professional writing, news articles, reviews, and descriptions of awards or achievements.
In professional writing, you might say:
“The candidate secured a coveted leadership position after a competitive selection process.”
In a casual conversation, you might say:
“I finally got the coveted tickets!”
Both sentences are correct. The first sounds professional, while the second sounds more conversational.
You do not need to avoid the word in everyday speech. Just remember that coveted can sound more polished or emphatic than simpler alternatives such as wanted.
FAQs
Q1: What does coveted mean in simple words?
A: Coveted means greatly desired or wanted. For example, a coveted prize is a prize that many people hope to win.
Q2: Does coveted mean popular?
A: Not exactly. Something popular is liked or used by many people, while something coveted is strongly desired. A product can be popular without being difficult to obtain or especially sought after.
Q3: Is coveted a positive or negative word?
A: It can be either, depending on context. It often has a positive or neutral meaning when describing awards, jobs, or achievements. However, it can suggest envy or possessiveness when connected to wanting something that belongs to someone else.
Q4: What does highly coveted mean?
A: Highly coveted means extremely desirable or strongly wanted. For example, a highly coveted scholarship is one that many students would love to receive.
Q5: What is the difference between covet and coveted?
A: Covet is the base verb meaning to desire something strongly. Coveted is its past-tense and past-participle form, and it is also commonly used as an adjective.
Examples:
- “They covet the championship title.”
- “They coveted the championship title last year.”
- “The coveted championship title attracted many competitors.”
Q6: Can I use coveted in everyday conversation?
A: Yes. You can use it when describing something highly desirable, such as concert tickets, a promotion, a special gift, or a rare item. It is not limited to formal writing.
Final Thoughts on Coveted Meaning
The meaning of coveted is straightforward: it describes something that is greatly desired, often because it is valuable, exclusive, or difficult to obtain.
You might encounter a coveted award at work, a coveted scholarship at school, or a coveted item in a store. In each case, the word emphasizes how much people want that thing.
Remember the simple distinction: wanted means someone desires something, while coveted suggests that the thing is especially desirable or sought after.
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Zia Ahmad is a professional blogger specializing in grammar tips and spelling accuracy. He creates clear, practical content that helps readers eliminate errors, strengthen writing skills, and communicate effectively for students, professionals, and everyday writers worldwide.