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📕 rednote ID(小红书号)：3881567312

Begrudge Definition, Usage & Common Mistakes (2 meaning)

Meaning 1：feel jealous of (begrudge)

begrudge 🔊

/bɪˈɡrʌdʒ/

vt.

to feel unhappy or jealous when someone else has something good, and to be unwilling to admit or give it.

Begrudge facial expression showing reluctant envy during celebration

feel jealous of 🔊

➕

/fiːl ˈdʒɛləs əv/

vt.

To feel unhappy or resentful because someone else has something good, and to be reluctant to acknowledge or concede it.

📁 Category：Behaviors & Actions 🔖 Level：intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Middle English bigrucchen, from be- (intensive) + grucchen 'to murmur, complain'.

💡 Mnemonic

Think: 'Be-grudge' = 'Bear a grudge' – you hold resentment when others succeed or when you have to give something.

📖 Example

Even though she congratulated her classmate on the top score, she secretly begrudged his success because she had studied just as hard. 🔊 Even though she congratulated her classmate on the top score, she secretly begrudged his success because she had studied just as hard.

🔗 Collocations

begrudge someone something – to feel envious of someone because of something they have

begrudge doing something – to resent having to do something

not begrudge something – to give something willingly without resentment

🔄 Synonyms

resent (v.) – to feel bitter or angry about something unfair

envy (v.) – to feel discontented longing for someone else's advantages

grudge (v.) – to be unwilling to give or admit; to resent

🚫 Antonyms

celebrate (v.) – to publicly praise or rejoice in someone's success

applaud (v.) – to express approval or praise for someone's achievement

welcome (v.) – to gladly accept or receive something good from others

🌱 Derivatives

begrudging (adj.) – showing reluctance or resentment

begrudgingly (adv.) – in a reluctant or resentful manner

📖 Cultural Story

Begrudge originated from Old French 'groucier' meaning 'to grumble'. It captures the emotional blend of envy and reluctance in giving or acknowledging, often used in social comparison contexts like workplaces or competitive environments.

Meaning 2：give unwillingly (begrudge)

begrudge 🔊

/bɪˈɡrʌdʒ/

vt.

to give something to someone, but you really don't want to and feel unhappy about it.

Begrudge hand gesture reluctantly giving a single coin

give unwillingly 🔊

➕

/ɡɪv ʌnˈwɪlɪŋli/

vt.

To provide or bestow something, but with strong reluctance and unhappiness about doing so.

📁 Category：Behaviors & Actions 🔖 Level：intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

He didn't begrudge the money for his daughter's education, but he certainly complained about the cost of her latest trendy shoes. 🔊 He didn't begrudge the money for his daughter's education, but he certainly complained about the cost of her latest trendy shoes.

🔗 Collocations

begrudge something to someone – to give something to someone reluctantly

begrudge the time/money – to feel unhappy about spending time or money on something

begrudge every penny – to resent each unit of money spent

🔄 Synonyms

stint (v.) – to supply in an ungenerous or grudging manner

withhold (v.) – to refuse to give; to hold back

resent (v.) – to feel indignation about giving something

🚫 Antonyms

donate (v.) – to give freely, especially for a good cause

offer (v.) – to present something willingly for acceptance

bestow (v.) – to give as a gift or honor generously