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

Trapped by the dam, by progress, by poverty, by human selfishness.

From Literature

Cerf “wasn’t afraid to tell her that he considered her philosophy of rational selfishness ‘abhorrent,’” Ms. Feldman writes, “but at the same time, he promised that if RH published her, ‘nobody’ would be a censor.”

From The Wall Street Journal

Not worrying about what others think of you reveals a selfishness, a lack of empathy, a disrespect for your professional environment.

From The Wall Street Journal

Ben manages to turn this mild inquiry into a long disquisition on her selfishness and disdain for his work.

From The Wall Street Journal

But we are not required to shrink into selfishness and judgment when faced with need.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• greed
• self-indulgence