egoist

American  

[ee-goh-ist, eg-oh-] / ˈi goʊ ɪst, ˈɛg oʊ- /

noun

1. a self-centered or selfish person (altruist ).

2. an arrogantly conceited person; egotist.

3. an adherent of the metaphysical principle of the ego, or self; solipsist.

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ˈegoist British  

/ ˈɛɡ-, ˈiːɡəʊɪst /

noun

1. a person who is preoccupied with his own interests; a selfish person

2. a conceited person; egotist

3. ethics a person who lives by the values of egoism

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Other Word Forms

• antiegoist noun
• egoistic adjective
• egoistically adverb

Etymology

Origin of egoist

From the French word égoïste, dating back to 1775–85. See ego, -ist

Compare meaning

How does egoist compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• egoist vs. egotist

Example Sentences

This demand gives the lie to a common misconception of liberalism, namely, that it is an ethic of insouciant self-indulgence, a politics for blithe egoists.

From Salon

Finally, the game must be the undisputed king, and all the egoists and agitators would do well to fall in line.

From Washington Post

He called it a “union of egoists,” quoting the philosopher Max Stirner, “in its simplest form.”

From New York Times

And so you get blowhards and sycophants, egoists and ignoramuses mixed in among those just striving to be dedicated public servants.

From Washington Post

The egoist in you will find it hard to resist bragging about the proliferation of butterflies that will flock to the drought-tolerant De La Mina.

From Los Angeles Times