Selfish — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective /ˈsel-fish/ self·ish

Meaning & Definition of Selfish

Selfish (adjective)

  1. concerned excessively or exclusively with oneself, seeking or concentrating on one's own advantage, pleasure, or well-being without regard for others
  2. arising from concern with one's own welfare or advantage in disregard of others
  3. being an actively replicating repetitive sequence of nucleic acid that serves no known function; also, being genetic material solely concerned with its own replication

Selfish (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. overly concerned with one's own desires, needs, or interests

    "a selfish desire to succeed at the expense of others"

    similar: egocentric, egoistic, egomaniacal, egotistic, narcissistic, self-absorbed, self-centered, self-concerned, self-infatuated, self-interested, self-involved, self-loving, self-obsessed, self-oriented, self-preoccupied, self-regarding, self-seeking, self-serving, solipsistic
    related: inner-directed, complacent, conceited, overweening, pompous, prideful, proud, self-complacent, self-conceited, self-contented, self-directed, self-glorifying, self-important, self-indulgent, self-opinionated, self-pleased, self-satisfied, smug, vain, vainglorious
    opposite: self-forgetful, self-forgetting, selfless, unselfish
    near: altruistic, beneficent, benevolent, charitable, generous, greathearted, humanitarian, magnanimous, philanthropic, self-denying, self-giving, self-sacrificing, other-directed, diffident, self-doubting, self-flagellating, self-questioning, self-reflective

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Selfish

The most common words with a similar meaning to Selfish:

egocentric, egoistic, egomaniacal, egotistic, narcissistic, self-absorbed, self-centered, self-concerned, self-infatuated, self-interested, self-involved, self-loving, self-obsessed, self-oriented, self-preoccupied, self-regarding, self-seeking, self-serving, solipsistic

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Selfish

Words with the opposite meaning of Selfish:

self-forgetful, self-forgetting, selfless, unselfish

Related Words for Selfish

inner-directed, complacent, conceited, overweening, pompous, prideful, proud, self-complacent, self-conceited, self-contented, self-directed, self-glorifying, self-important, self-indulgent, self-opinionated, self-pleased, self-satisfied, smug, vain, vainglorious

Near Antonyms of Selfish

altruistic, beneficent, benevolent, charitable, generous, greathearted, humanitarian, magnanimous, philanthropic, self-denying, self-giving, self-sacrificing, other-directed, diffident, self-doubting, self-flagellating, self-questioning, self-reflective

Origin & Etymology of Selfish

First known use: 1628

Frequently Asked Questions about Selfish

What does "Selfish" mean?

"Selfish" means concerned excessively or exclusively with oneself, seeking or concentrating on one's own advantage, pleasure, or well-being without regard for others. As an adjective, it is defined as: concerned excessively or exclusively with oneself, seeking or concentrating on one's own advantage, pleasure, or well-being without regard for others.

What is another word for "Selfish"?

Other words for "Selfish" include egocentric, egoistic, egomaniacal, egotistic, narcissistic, self-absorbed, self-centered and self-concerned. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Selfish" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Selfish"?

There are 39 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Selfish". Common alternatives include egocentric, egoistic, egomaniacal, egotistic, narcissistic, self-absorbed, self-centered, self-concerned, self-infatuated and self-interested.

What is the opposite of "Selfish"?

Antonyms of "Selfish" include self-forgetful, self-forgetting, selfless and unselfish. Near antonyms include altruistic, beneficent, benevolent and charitable.

How do you use "Selfish" in a sentence?

Examples of "Selfish" in a sentence: "a selfish desire to succeed at the expense of others".

Is "Selfish" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Selfish" is an adjective.

How do you pronounce "Selfish"?

"Selfish" is pronounced /ˈsel-fish/ and divided into syllables as self·ish.

What is the origin of the word "Selfish"?

First known use: 1628.