selfless

[self-lis]

adjective

1. having little or no concern for oneself, especially with regard to fame, position, money, etc.; unselfish.

selfless

/ ˈsɛlflɪs /

adjective

1. having little concern for one's own interests

Other Word Forms

• selflessly adverb
• selflessness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of selfless¹

First recorded in 1815–25; self + -less

Example Sentences

Mor Singh, 60, never went to school but his selfless act of handing over his house to the village school - after it was badly damaged due to heavy rains - has made him a local hero.

From BBC

"She's a selfless player, working so hard for the team, and she also contributes so much to our team culture."

From BBC

"He viewed that as lessening the burden on his family. Donating his body was the last selfless thing he could do."

From BBC

“I could sense the agape right off the page,” said Herr, using the Greek term for the selfless love preached by Jesus, to explain why he wanted in.

From Los Angeles Times

The promotion last season - and the record clean sheets - was built entirely on a selfless attitude, and a pride in defending and being hard to beat.

From BBC

Related Words

• altruistic 
• charitable 
• generous 
• humanitarian 
• loving 
• magnanimous 
• noble 
• self-effacing