self-interest

American  

[self-in-trist, self-, -in-ter-ist] / ˌsɛlfˈɪn trɪst, ˈsɛlf-, -ˈɪn tər ɪst /

noun

1. regard for one's own interest or advantage, especially with disregard for others.

   He appears to be motivated solely by self-interest, greed, and an insatiable hunger for self-aggrandizement.

2. personal interest or advantage.

   It is particularly hard to understand why a group would vote against its own self-interest.

3. Economics. the doctrine that acting to one’s own benefit or advantage can also result in a benefit for society at large.

   Adam Smith believed that individuals pursuing rational self-interest would create wealth through efficient production and competition.

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self-interest British  

noun

1. one's personal interest or advantage

2. the act or an instance of pursuing one's own interest

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Other Word Forms

• self-interested adjective
• self-interestedness noun

Etymology

Origin of self-interest

First recorded in 1640–50

Compare meaning

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

• self-interest vs. selfishness

Example Sentences

Blue Owl has said the transactions were “arm’s length,” meaning the parties were unrelated and acting independently in their own self-interest.

From The Wall Street Journal

The podcasters have an obvious self-interest in the attention and claims of power—it gets them views and potentially influence.

From The Wall Street Journal

The lawsuit claimed the group of advertisers had acted against their own economic self-interest to conspire against the platform - saying this violated US antitrust laws designed to promote fair competition between companies.

From BBC

Nations that believe they can outcompete anyone, anywhere embrace open markets as a matter of rational self-interest.

From Barron's

Each is designed so that firms—high cost or low, safe or risky—find it in their self-interest to choose the option meant for them.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• arrogance
• egotism
• narcissism
• self-confidence
• selfishness