selfish

[ sel-fish ]

/ ˈsɛl fɪʃ /

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See synonyms for selfish on Thesaurus.com

adjective

devoted to or caring only for oneself; concerned primarily with one's own interests, benefits, welfare, etc., regardless of others.

characterized by or manifesting concern or care only for oneself: selfish motives.

SYNONYMS FOR selfish

1 self-interested, self-seeking, egoistic; illiberal, parsimonious, stingy.

See synonyms for selfish on Thesaurus.com

QUIZZES

QUIZ YOURSELF ON "WAS" VS. "WERE"!

Were you ready for a quiz on this topic? Well, here it is! See how well you can differentiate between the uses of "was" vs. "were" in this quiz.

Question 1 of 7

“Was” is used for the indicative past tense of “to be,” and “were” is only used for the subjunctive past tense.

true

false

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Origin of selfish

First recorded in 1630–40; self + -ish¹

OTHER WORDS FROM selfish

self·ish·ly, adverbself·ish·ness, noun

Example sentences from the Web for selfish

A willingness to be more selfish is a goal for another elite point guard prospect, Indiana senior Ali Patberg.
How These WNBA Prospects Can Improve Their Draft Stock|Howard Megdal|November 24, 2020|FiveThirtyEight
So holding up any emergency vehicle is selfish beyond belief.
Hints From Heloise: Good manners are for the road, too|Heloise Heloise|November 23, 2020|Washington Post
It seems selfish, as well as shortsighted, for people to refuse to take common-sense measures to protect themselves and others.
Ask Amy: Scotch and wine might lead to a problem|Amy Dickinson|November 22, 2020|Washington Post
It seemed selfish to me to engage in nonessential travel to the race and potentially put myself and others at risk of spreading covid.
As the coronavirus tears through rural Maryland, an ultramarathon plans to race on|Rick Maese|November 19, 2020|Washington Post

Masks are neither completely selfless nor selfish — they help everyone.
Wearing a mask isn’t just about protecting other people, the CDC says. It can help you — and might prevent lockdowns.|Ben Guarino, Lena H. Sun, Ariana Eunjung Cha|November 12, 2020|Washington Post
Marrying yourself merely underscores selfishness and self-interest, rather than enabling you to live singly in the best way.
Why Singles Should Say ‘I Don’t’ to The Self-Marriage Movement|Tim Teeman|December 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
They are mean, unhappy and inspired only by their fatal selfishness.
Pope Francis Denounces the Vatican Elite’s 'Spiritual Alzheimer’s'|Barbie Latza Nadeau|December 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The pontiff blasts the selfishness, arrogance and detachment of the cardinals in Rome.
Pope Francis Denounces the Vatican Elite’s 'Spiritual Alzheimer’s'|Barbie Latza Nadeau|December 23, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Fatigue, sadness, or psychosis is not about choice or laziness or selfishness.
Postpartum Stigma: Why My Patient Committed Suicide|Jean Kim|August 5, 2014|DAILY BEAST
I don't get to spend my money or my time with utmost selfishness.
Mommy’s Little Secret? Coffee And Booze.|Sally Kohn|May 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The socialist looking thus at the world we live in sees in it nothing but waste and selfishness and inefficiency.
The Unsolved Riddle of Social Justice|Stephen Leacock
Even the purest selfishness would dictate a policy of social insurance.
The Unsolved Riddle of Social Justice|Stephen Leacock
The ancient grudging selfishness that would not feed other people's children should be cast out.
The Unsolved Riddle of Social Justice|Stephen Leacock
A vein of shrewd and humorous sarcasm, together with an under-current of quiet selfishness, made him a very pleasant companion. '
Tobacco; Its History, Varieties, Culture, Manufacture and Commerce|E. R. Billings.
Politeness, being based upon real kindness of heart, cannot exist where there is selfishness or brutality to warp its growth.
The Ladies' Book of Etiquette, and Manual of Politeness|Florence Hartley

British Dictionary definitions for selfish

selfish

/ (ˈsɛlfɪʃ) /

adjective

chiefly concerned with one's own interest, advantage, etc, esp to the total exclusion of the interests of others

relating to or characterized by self-interest

Derived forms of selfish

selfishly, adverbselfishness, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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selfish

adjective

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Origin of selfish

OTHER WORDS FROM selfish

Example sentences from the Web for selfish

British Dictionary definitions for selfish

adjective

Derived forms of selfish

MEANINGS

WORD GAMES

LEARN

WRITING

WORD OF THE DAY

selfish

adjective

SYNONYMS FOR selfish

QUIZZES

QUIZ YOURSELF ON "WAS" VS. "WERE"!

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Origin of selfish

OTHER WORDS FROM selfish

Words related to selfish

Example sentences from the Web for selfish

British Dictionary definitions for selfish

adjective

Derived forms of selfish