Language is weird. You've probably heard the word "coveted" a thousand times in movie trailers or high-end fashion commercials, but sitting down to actually drop coveted in a sentence feels different. It’s a heavy word. It carries weight, longing, and a bit of a "look but don't touch" vibe. Honestly, most people mess it up by trying too hard to sound smart, but the trick is understanding the specific flavor of desire it describes.
It isn't just "wanting" something. If I want a sandwich, I don't "covet" the sandwich. That would be creepy. To covet is to yearn for something that is either rare, high-status, or—more often than not—belongs to someone else.
Why Coveted Hits Different Than Just Wanting
When you use coveted in a sentence, you're signaling that the object of desire is a prize. Think of the "coveted corner office" or a "coveted invitation" to an exclusive gala. It’s about the prestige. Merriam-Webster defines it as "earnestly wished for or sought after," but that definition lacks the emotional punch you see in real-world usage. It’s the difference between a Toyota and a vintage Porsche. One is a car; the other is a coveted masterpiece.
You see this a lot in sports journalism. Writers will talk about the "coveted trophy" or the "coveted number one draft pick." It creates a sense of competition. If everyone can have it, it isn't coveted. Period.
Getting the Grammar Right (The Boring but Necessary Part)
Most of the time, "coveted" acts as an adjective. You put it right before the noun.
- "She finally secured the coveted internship at Google."
- "The coveted award sat on the mantel, gathering dust despite its prestige."
But you can also use it as a past-participle verb. This is where things get a bit more "Old Testament" in tone. If you say, "He coveted his neighbor's house," you're tapping into the Ten Commandments territory. It sounds a bit more intense, maybe even a little bit sinful or greedy. It’s a strong choice. Use it when the desire is borderline obsessive.
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Real Examples of Coveted in a Sentence
Let’s look at how this actually shows up in the wild. I’m talking about real-world contexts where the word does the heavy lifting for the narrative.
In Business: "The startup finally won the coveted endorsement from a major venture capital firm, basically ensuring their Series A funding would be a breeze." Here, the word emphasizes that not every startup gets this; it’s a filter for quality.
In Fashion: "Every September, editors scramble for a coveted seat in the front row of the Chanel show." It’s not just a chair. It’s a status symbol. Using the word here tells the reader that people might actually fight over this seat.
In Everyday Life: "Among my group of friends, the coveted title of 'Best Cook' is usually fought over every Thanksgiving." This is a more casual, slightly hyperbolic way to use it. It adds a bit of humor by treating something small like a big deal.
The Secret History of the Word
Language nerds (guilty as charged) know that "covet" comes from the Old French covoitier, which basically means to desire or lust after. It’s got roots in the Latin cupiditas. Yeah, like Cupid. But whereas Cupid is about love, "coveting" took a turn toward the material or the unattainable.
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In the Middle Ages, coveting was a serious moral failing. It wasn't just "I like your shoes." It was "I want your shoes so badly I might be a bad person." Nowadays, we’ve scrubbed away most of the "sin" part. We use it to sell watches and luxury vacations. It's become a marketing term. If a brand calls their product "coveted," they’re trying to manufacture scarcity. They want you to feel like you're part of an elite club just for wanting it.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Don't use it for mundane stuff. "I coveted the last slice of pizza" is okay if you're being funny. If you're being serious, it sounds ridiculous.
Also, watch out for redundancy. "The highly-desired coveted prize" is a bit much. "Coveted" already implies it's highly desired. You're double-bagging your adjectives there. Just let the word stand on its own. It’s strong enough to hold up the sentence without help.
How to Make Your Writing Feel More Natural
If you're trying to improve your prose, the best way to use coveted in a sentence is to pair it with something that actually deserves the hype.
Think about the "coveted" things in your own life. Maybe it was a specific toy when you were a kid, or a promotion you worked three years to get. When you write from a place of understanding that specific "aching" feeling of wanting, the word fits naturally.
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- "The coveted silence of a house after the kids go to sleep is a luxury most parents would trade gold for."
- "He held the coveted vintage vinyl like it was made of thin glass."
Notice how the sentence length changes the rhythm? Short sentences punch. Long ones flow. Mix them up.
Semantic Relatives: When "Coveted" Isn't Quite Right
Sometimes you want the vibe of "coveted" but the word feels too formal. You might look at "sought-after." That’s the workhorse of the business world. Or maybe "prized." That feels more personal, like something you already own and cherish.
Then there's "envied." If you use "envied," you’re focusing on the person who has the thing. If you use "coveted," you’re focusing on the thing itself. It’s a subtle shift, but it matters for the tone of your writing.
Why Does This Word Rank So Well?
People search for how to use certain words because they don't want to look silly in an email or an essay. We've all been there. You have a word on the tip of your tongue, you type it out, and then you stare at it until it looks misspelled. By looking at coveted in a sentence examples, you're basically recalibrating your internal "is this normal?" meter.
Actionable Steps for Better Vocabulary Usage
To really master this, stop reading definitions and start noticing the word in your daily life. It's everywhere once you look.
- Audit your adjectives: Go through your last three emails. Did you use "great" or "good" too much? Could "coveted" (or a synonym) add more flavor?
- Context is king: Only use "coveted" for things that have limited supply or high social value.
- Read high-end publications: Flip through The New Yorker or The Economist. See how their writers use "coveted" to describe political positions or rare pieces of art.
- Practice the "Sin" test: If you feel a tiny bit of "I shouldn't want this so much" about an object, "coveted" is likely the right word.
The goal isn't just to use a big word. The goal is to use the right word to make your reader feel the specific type of desire you're talking about. That is how you turn a basic sentence into something that actually resonates with people. Start by replacing one "popular" or "famous" with "coveted" in your next draft and see if the energy of the sentence changes. You'll probably find it adds a layer of sophistication that wasn't there before.