altruistic
[ al-troo-is-tik ]
/ ˌæl truˈɪs tɪk /
Save This Word!
adjective
unselfishly concerned for or devoted to the welfare of others (opposed to egoistic).
Animal Behavior. of or relating to behavior by an animal that may be to its disadvantage but that benefits others of its kind, often its close relatives.
OTHER WORDS FOR altruistic
OPPOSITES FOR altruistic
QUIZ
THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?
Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.
Question 1 of 7
In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…
Origin of altruistic
First recorded in 1850–55; altru(ism) + -istic
OTHER WORDS FROM altruistic
al·tru·is·ti·cal·ly, adverbhy·per·al·tru·is·tic, adjectivenon·al·tru·is·tic, adjectivenon·al·tru·is·ti·cal·ly, adverbDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023