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Definition of selfish

selfish

/ˈsɛl.fɪʃ/
sel · fish
Adverb:selfishly
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selfish Lexical Profile

selfish Game Scores & Validity

• adjective

1

Lacking consideration for other people; concerned chiefly with one's own personal profit or pleasure.

Example

"It was selfish of him to take the last slice of cake without asking if anyone else wanted it."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Rhymes for selfish

• Nearby Words

self
selfhood
selfie
selfish
selfishly
selfishness
selfless

Word Origin & Etymology

Coined in the 1640s by Scottish Presbyterians from the Old English root 'self' and the suffix '-ish' to describe someone excessively devoted to their own private interests.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Selfish. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/selfish
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