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.

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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

He has little patience for selfishness or opportunism.

From BBC ● Jul. 31, 2026

Or was his quest for power rooted in sheer petty selfishness?

From Slate ● Jul. 13, 2026

"This is a spiritual battle. Between selfishness and service. Between greed and greatness," he said.

From Barron's ● Jun. 13, 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

He was behaving with the beastly selfishness of Man, taking all he could get from one quarter, and then, when that was used, going to another.

From "The Once and Future King" by T. H. White

Related Words

• greed
• self-indulgence