enviable
gb/ˈɛnviəbəl/ us/ˈɛnviəbəl/
C1
English
Senses
0 senses
adjective
C1
property
1
very desirable and admired
very good, so other people want it
Usage pattern:
an enviable [thing/quality/achievement]
Common mistake:
Often confused with inevitable (certain to happen) or invaluable (extremely useful/valuable).
Synonyms
desirable (More general; not necessarily connected to other people’s envy.)
|
coveted (Emphasizes that many people strongly want it.)
|
admired (Focuses on respect/approval more than wanting to possess it.)
Antonyms
unenviable (Describes a situation others would not want.)
|
undesirable (Generally not wanted or attractive.)
Collocations
enviable lifestyle
|enviable salary
|enviable income
|enviable figure
|enviable skills
|enviable success
|enviable achievements
|enviable reputation
|enviable collection
|an enviable advantage
Themes
evaluation
|emotions
|daily_life
Examples
- She has an enviable talent for making people feel at ease.
- After a decade in the industry, he’s built an enviable reputation.
- They live an enviable life by the sea.
Learner examples
- He has an enviable job.
- Her English is enviable.
adjective
C1
state
2
advantageous or fortunate situation
in a very good situation
Usage pattern:
in an enviable [position/situation]
Common mistake:
Do not use *enviable* to mean “jealous”; the feeling is envy, not enviable.
Synonyms
fortunate (Suggests luck; less focus on comparison with others.)
|
advantageous (More formal; focuses on practical benefit.)
|
favorable (Neutral and often used for conditions or circumstances.)
Antonyms
unfortunate (Not lucky; having bad circumstances.)
|
disadvantageous (Causing a disadvantage or making success harder.)
Collocations
enviable position
|enviable situation
|enviable place
|enviable standing
|enviable lead
|an enviable role
|an enviable opportunity
|an enviable advantage
|enviable security
|enviable flexibility
Themes
work
|business
|evaluation
Examples
- With no debt and a steady income, they’re in an enviable position.
- The company is in an enviable situation: demand is rising and costs are falling.
- She found herself in the enviable position of choosing between two great offers.
Learner examples
- I am in an enviable position at work.
- They are in an enviable situation.
Grammar
Dictionary form
enviable
IPA
GB/ˈɛnviəbəl/
US/ˈɛnviəbəl/
Syllables & stress
en - vi - able (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (en)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: enviable
Word family
Related words
enviably
adverb
enviously
adverb
Negative and opposite forms
unenviable
adjective C1
unenviably
adverb C1
Advanced or less common
enviability
noun
Expressions
an enviable record
1/ən ˈɛnviəbəl ɹˈɛkɚd/
fixed phrase
an impressive track record
a history of very good results
Examples
- The team has an enviable record at home this season.
- She has an enviable record of finishing projects on time.
- The firm has an enviable safety record.
an enviable reputation
1/ən ˈɛnviəbəl ɹˌɛpjətˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
a very good reputation
a reputation that is very good
Examples
- The restaurant has an enviable reputation for fresh seafood.
- She built an enviable reputation as a fair and effective manager.
- The school enjoys an enviable reputation in the community.
have the enviable job of
1/hˈæv ðə ˈɛnviəbəl d͡ʒˈɑb əv/
fixed phrase
be lucky to have that job
have a job many people want
Examples
- She has the enviable job of traveling the world to review hotels.
- He has the enviable job of working with a team of brilliant designers.
- They have the enviable job of announcing the finalists live on stage.
have the enviable task of
1/hˈæv ðə ˈɛnviəbəl tˈæsk əv/
fixed phrase
be lucky to have to do
be lucky because you get to do it
Examples
- As the new editor, she has the enviable task of choosing the final cover.
- I had the enviable task of tasting desserts for the menu.
- He has the enviable task of presenting the award to the winner.
in an enviable position
1/ˈɪn ən ˈɛnviəbəl pəzˈɪʃən/
fixed phrase
in a very good situation
in a very good situation
Examples
- With three bidders, the seller is in an enviable position.
- After the promotion, she was in an enviable position to choose her own team.
- They’re in an enviable position compared with their competitors.