selfless
SELF-luhs
/ˈself.ləs/
Concerned more with the needs, desires, and wishes of others than with one's own.
Highlights personal sacrifice and the complete absence of selfish intent or ego.
The story behind the word. Unlike many academic terms borrowed from Latin or Greek, selfless is a pure Germanic compound formed in English by attaching the negative suffix '-less' to 'self'. It gained widespread popular use during the 17th and 18th centuries to describe Christian ideals of humility and devotion.
Word relationships
- unselfish: Unselfish is simple everyday vocabulary; selfless carries stronger praise for active self-sacrifice.
- self-sacrificing: Self-sacrificing explicitly highlights the pain or loss endured for another.
- selfish: Selfish means placing one's own desires above everyone else's needs.
- egoistic: Egoistic means preoccupied with self-interest and personal vanity.
Commonly confused with
- self-effacing: Self-effacing means modest or shy; selfless means prioritizing others' needs.
Word family
- selflessness (noun): Concern for the needs of others rather than oneself.
- selflessly (adverb): In a manner that puts others before oneself.
Collocations
- selfless devotion
- selfless act
- selfless dedication
- selfless service
Example sentences
- "The firefighters showed selfless devotion to duty by entering the burning skyscraper to rescue trapped residents." Emergency services
- "Her selfless devotion to her elderly parents inspired everyone who knew her." Family sacrifice
Memory hook
LESS of SELF = MORE for others. WITHOUT EGO.
When not to use
Do not use to describe institutional programs; it applies to individuals, actions, and personal character.
Fun facts
- The noun 'selflessness' was coined decades after 'selfless' was already in common use.
Related words
Explore more words
altruism, devoted, compassionate, self-effacing, solicitous, benevolent
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