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selflessness

American  
[self-lis-nis] / ˈsɛlf lɪs nɪs /

noun

  1. lack of preoccupation with one’s own interests, advancement, desires, etc., and attentiveness to those of others; unselfishness.

    Playing volleyball taught me the value of teamwork, discipline, and selflessness, which can all be applied in the classroom in helping others.

Etymology

Origin of selflessness

selfless ( def. ) + -ness ( def. )

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

It can encompass steadfastness in the face of adversity, selflessness, self-sacrifice, honesty and integrity in one’s dealings with others.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 19, 2026

He lived in an era in which selflessness was considered one of the core virtues of a great leader, and at crucial moments in our history, he behaved accordingly.

From Slate • Feb. 16, 2026

“This act of bravery and selflessness reflects exactly who they were: people who instinctively chose to help, even at great personal risk,” according to a statement released by friends of the family.

From The Wall Street Journal • Dec. 19, 2025

"While nothing can lessen the pain of losing Boris and Sofia, we feel an overwhelming sense of pride in their bravery and selflessness," the couple's family said in a statement.

From BBC • Dec. 18, 2025

But he tried, and he knew true selflessness when he saw it.

From "Insurgent" by Veronica Roth

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.