Enviable, meaning "desirable," is a milder (less strong) word than envious, which has the same basic meaning but suggests strong discontent and resentment. Enviable may even be used as an expression of praise: "His solid strength of character is enviable." Envious never implies praise, since it involves both resentment and desire: "Because Bill was envious of his supervisor's position, he tried hard to undercut him."
Dictionary of problem words and expressions. Harry Shaw. 1975.