egoist

[ee-goh-ist, eg-oh-]

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.

ˈegoist

/ 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

Other Word Forms

• antiegoist noun
• egoistic adjective
• egoistically adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of egoist¹

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

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.

Read more on Salon

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

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

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

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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.

Read more on Los Angeles Times