Are envy and jealousy the same thing?

Answer 1

No. Jealousy is sometimes used to mean envy, but it can have a different meaning.

Envy is a desire to have something someone else has, such as material wealth, a desirable position, or some other status. It is synonymous with covetousness, from the Biblical term "covet" (want, desire).

Jealousy can be this desire, sometimes coupled with the feeling that the other person is undeserving. It can also be used to express defensive anxiety -- when someone fears losing the attention or affection of a loved one to someone else. An example of this use of jealousy is when a husband suspects (correctly or incorrectly) that his wife is being attracted to other men, or is responding to their attention. This is an extreme form of selfishness and insecurity.

Answer 2

Envy and jealousy are similar emotions but have some distinctions. Envy is wanting what someone else has, while jealousy is the fear of losing what you already have to someone else. Envy is often about desiring a possession or characteristic, while jealousy is usually tied to a relationship or situation.