selfishness

American  

[sel-fish-nis] / ˈsɛl fɪʃ nɪs /

noun

1. the quality or state of caring only for oneself or one’s own interests.

   The author rants at length about the selfishness and general disregard for others that he sees at the root of modern society.

---

Etymology

Origin of selfishness

selfish ( def. ) + -ness ( def. )

---

Compare meaning

How does selfishness compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• self-interest vs. selfishness

---

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

selfishness

It helps you draw boundaries without being held hostage to accusations of selfishness.

From MarketWatch ● Oct. 8, 2026

He has little patience for selfishness or opportunism.

From BBC ● Jul. 31, 2026

Our selfishness, she continues, is the reason capitalism works.

From Salon ● Apr. 23, 2026

“First of all, I’ve served this party for a long time. I don’t do it out of selfishness, by any means,” she said at a Saturday gathering where she provided breakfast burritos to delegates.

From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 21, 2026

It was a particular kind of bravery, one that often got mistaken for selfishness or laziness.

From "Genuine Fraud" by E. Lockhart

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

---

Related Words

• greed
• self-indulgence

---