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selflessness

American  
[self-lis-nis] / ˈsɛlf lɪs nɪs /

noun

  1. lack of preoccupation with one’s own interests, advancement, desires, etc., and attentiveness to those of others; unselfishness.

    Playing volleyball taught me the value of teamwork, discipline, and selflessness, which can all be applied in the classroom in helping others.

Etymology

Origin of selflessness

selfless ( def. ) + -ness ( def. )

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.

Selflessness is the first piece of the team’s S.P.A.R.K.S. acronym used to define the blueprint, followed by Preparation, Accountability, Respectful, Konnected and Smile.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 1, 2023

Selflessness and human connection are dominant themes of this narrative.

From New York Times • Nov. 4, 2021

The seven principles established by Lord Nolan, which are not legally enforceable, are: Selflessness, Integrity.

From BBC • Apr. 20, 2021

Selflessness, he says, was a lesson his parents were always trying to impart, that the world didn’t revolve around him.

From Washington Post • Jul. 30, 2020

But that Fierceness and Strength, Sweetness and Selflessness, have only intensified as, with further evolution, they have extended further into Life and Consciousness, is shown when they tear themselves asunder from their counterpoising attributes.

From Feminism and Sex-Extinction by Kenealy, Arabella

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.