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Synonyms

selfless

American  
[self-lis] / ˈsɛlf lɪs /

adjective

  1. having little or no concern for oneself, especially with regard to fame, position, money, etc.; unselfish.

selfless British  
/ ˈsɛlflɪs /

adjective

  1. having little concern for one's own interests

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • selflessly adverb
  • selflessness noun

Etymology

Origin of selfless

First recorded in 1815–25; self + -less

Compare meaning

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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Sian, a former social worker, is now preparing to receive a transplant from a "selfless stranger" and has urged others to sign up to become donors.

From BBC

She praised her surrogate as selfless, loving and strong and said surrogacy is a different and beautiful way to grow a family.

From Los Angeles Times

In a tribute, Ratcliffe's family described him as a "true selfless hero with a heart of gold, who was so cruelly taken trying to save others".

From BBC

Paying tribute, Mark's family previously described him as a "true selfless hero with a heart of gold, who was so cruelly taken trying to save others".

From BBC

In a tribute, his family said he was "a true selfless hero with a heart of gold, who was so cruelly taken trying to save others."

From BBC

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.