selfless
Americanadjective
adjective
Other Word Forms
- selflessly adverb
- selflessness noun
Etymology
Origin of selfless
Compare meaning
How does selfless compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:
Explanation
When you're being selfless, you're thinking of other people before yourself. Selfless is the opposite of selfish. If you're selfless, you think less about your self, and more about others — you're generous and kind. Being selfless is similar to being altruistic — another word for giving to others without looking for personal gain. If you give time, money, or things to other people without expecting something in return, that's selfless. Most people would agree that the world would be a better place if there were more selfless behavior.
Vocabulary lists containing selfless
Giving Words
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'Tis The Season: Words For Giving
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You're Too Kind! Synonyms for "Generous"
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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.
Anthropic and its chief executive, Dario Amodei, in some accounts, are selfless heroes, acting against the incentives that normally operate in business.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 14, 2026
“Service to our country, service to the Constitution, selfless service.”
From Slate • Apr. 1, 2026
“The most selfless thing for her was to still center the movement, and that meant at the cost of her own silence,” Alvarado said.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 19, 2026
Still, adults differ widely in how selfless they become.
From Science Daily • Feb. 13, 2026
There was a selfless and steely tone to his voice, that of a person delivering bad news to other people while remaining strong on their behalf.
From "Half of a Yellow Sun" by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
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.
