Unselfish — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective /ˌən-ˈsel-fish/ un·self·ish

Meaning & Definition of Unselfish

Unselfish (adjective)

  1. not selfish, generous

Unselfish (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. giving or sharing in abundance and without hesitation

    "an unselfish man who spends much of his time helping his community"

    similar: bighearted, bounteous, bountiful, charitable, free, freehanded, freehearted, fulsome, generous, liberal, munificent, open, openhanded, unsparing, unstinting
    related: extravagant, handsome, lavish, overgenerous, profuse, altruistic, beneficent, benevolent, hospitable, humanitarian, philanthropic, big, greathearted, largehearted, magnanimous, openhearted, compassionate, good-hearted, kind, kindly, samaritan, sympathetic
    opposite: cheap, close, closefisted, costive, illiberal (archaic), mingy, miserly, parsimonious, penurious, selfish, stingy, stinting, tight, tightfisted, uncharitable, ungenerous
    near: mean, petty, small, frugal, spare, sparing, thrifty, chary, stinting, acquisitive, avaricious, avid, coveting, covetous, desirous, grasping, hoggish, itchy, mercenary, rapacious, begrudging, envious, grudging, resentful

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Unselfish

The most common words with a similar meaning to Unselfish:

bighearted, bounteous, bountiful, charitable, free, freehanded, freehearted, fulsome, generous, liberal, munificent, open, openhanded, unsparing, unstinting

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Unselfish

Words with the opposite meaning of Unselfish:

cheap, close, closefisted, costive, illiberal, mingy, miserly, parsimonious, penurious, selfish, stingy, stinting, tight, tightfisted, uncharitable, ungenerous

Related Words for Unselfish

extravagant, handsome, lavish, overgenerous, profuse, altruistic, beneficent, benevolent, hospitable, humanitarian, philanthropic, big, greathearted, largehearted, magnanimous, openhearted, compassionate, good-hearted, kind, kindly, samaritan, sympathetic

Near Antonyms of Unselfish

mean, petty, small, frugal, spare, sparing, thrifty, chary, acquisitive, avaricious, avid, coveting, covetous, desirous, grasping, hoggish, itchy, mercenary, rapacious, begrudging, envious, grudging, resentful

Word Forms of Unselfish

Derived words: unselfishly (adverb), unselfishness (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Unselfish

First known use: 1698

Frequently Asked Questions about Unselfish

What does "Unselfish" mean?

"Unselfish" means not selfish, generous. As an adjective, it is defined as: not selfish, generous.

What is another word for "Unselfish"?

Other words for "Unselfish" include bighearted, bounteous, bountiful, charitable, free, freehanded, freehearted and fulsome. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Unselfish" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Unselfish"?

There are 37 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Unselfish". Common alternatives include bighearted, bounteous, bountiful, charitable, free, freehanded, freehearted, fulsome, generous and liberal.

What is the opposite of "Unselfish"?

Antonyms of "Unselfish" include cheap, close, closefisted, costive, illiberal, mingy, miserly and parsimonious. Near antonyms include mean, petty, small and frugal.

How do you use "Unselfish" in a sentence?

Examples of "Unselfish" in a sentence: "an unselfish man who spends much of his time helping his community".

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

"Unselfish" is an adjective.

How do you pronounce "Unselfish"?

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

What is the origin of the word "Unselfish"?

First known use: 1698.