Unselfish: meaning, definitions and examples

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unselfish

 

[ ʌnˈsɛlfɪʃ ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

personality trait

Having or showing a willingness to act in the interest of others rather than oneself; altruistic.

Synonyms

altruistic, benevolent, charitable, generous, selfless

Examples of usage

  • Her unselfish actions helped many people in need.
  • He was praised for his unselfish devotion to the community.
  • The unselfish act of donating all her prize money to charity touched many hearts.
  • Unselfish individuals often put the needs of others before their own.
  • Being unselfish is a commendable quality in a person.
Context #2 | Adjective

behavior

Not selfish; concerned with the welfare of others.

Synonyms

altruistic, considerate, magnanimous, selfless, thoughtful

Examples of usage

  • His unselfish behavior in sharing his resources made a positive impact on the community.
  • She always demonstrated unselfish behavior in her interactions with others.

Translations

Translations of the word "unselfish" in other languages:

🇵🇹 altruísta

🇮🇳 निःस्वार्थ

🇩🇪 selbstlos

🇮🇩 tidak mementingkan diri sendiri

🇺🇦 безкорисливий

🇵🇱 bezinteresowny

🇯🇵 無私

🇫🇷 altruiste

🇪🇸 desinteresado

🇹🇷 fedakâr

🇰🇷 이타적인

🇸🇦 غير أناني

🇨🇿 nezištný

🇸🇰 nezištný

🇨🇳 无私

🇸🇮 nesebičen

🇮🇸 óeigingjarn

🇰🇿 өзін-өзі ойламайтын

🇬🇪 უანგარო

🇦🇿 özünü düşünməyən

🇲🇽 desinteresado

Etymology

The word 'unselfish' originated from the combination of 'un-' (meaning not) and 'selfish,' which dates back to the early 17th century. The concept of unselfishness has been praised in various cultures and philosophical teachings as a virtue that promotes harmony, empathy, and compassion towards others. Being unselfish is often associated with acts of kindness, generosity, and putting the needs of others before one's own. It is considered a fundamental aspect of moral and ethical behavior in many societies.

See also: self, selfhood, selfish, selfless, selflessly, selflessness, unselfishly.

Word Frequency Rank

With rank #16,788, this word belongs to specialized vocabulary. While not common in everyday speech, it enriches your ability to express complex ideas.