Selfishness: meaning, definitions and examples
😡
selfishness
[ ˈsɛlfɪʃnəs ]
negative trait
Selfishness is the quality of being concerned only with oneself and not caring about the needs or feelings of others. It is often characterized by a lack of empathy and a focus on personal gain.
Synonyms
egoism, self-absorption, self-centeredness.
Which Synonym Should You Choose?
| Word | Description / Examples |
|---|---|
| selfishness |
Used when someone puts their own needs and desires before others, often at the expense of others' well-being.
|
| self-centeredness |
Refers to someone who considers themselves the most important and often disregards others' perspectives.
|
| egoism |
Refers to an ethical theory that treats self-interest as the foundation of morality. Often a more formal term.
|
| self-absorption |
Used when someone is deeply focused on their own thoughts and feelings, often to the exclusion of others.
|
Examples of usage
- His selfishness led to the downfall of the team.
- She was blinded by her selfishness and couldn't see the harm she was causing.
- The selfishness of the politician was evident in his disregard for the well-being of his constituents.
Translations
Translations of the word "selfishness" in other languages:
🇵🇹 egoísmo
🇮🇳 स्वार्थ
🇩🇪 Egoismus
🇮🇩 egoisme
🇺🇦 егоїзм
🇵🇱 egoizm
🇯🇵 利己主義 (りこしゅぎ)
🇫🇷 égoïsme
🇪🇸 egoísmo
🇹🇷 bencillik
🇰🇷 이기심
🇸🇦 أنانية
🇨🇿 sobectví
🇸🇰 sebecstvo
🇨🇳 自私 (zìsī)
🇸🇮 sebičnost
🇮🇸 sjálfselska
🇰🇿 өзімшілдік
🇬🇪 ეგოიზმი (egoizmi)
🇦🇿 eqoizm
🇲🇽 egoísmo
Etymology
The word 'selfishness' originated from the Old English word 'sylfisc', which meant 'selfish'. The concept of selfishness has been present throughout history, with various philosophers and thinkers discussing its implications on human behavior. It is often seen as a negative trait that can lead to conflicts and lack of cooperation in society.
See also: selfishly.