egoist
/'egouist/
Học thuậtThân thiện
The egoist sits at a large dining table piled high with gourmet food, eating greedily while ignoring the empty plates of the people sitting next to him.
Definition
- Noun:
- A self-centered person with little regard for others: An "egoist" is someone who is primarily concerned with their own interests, needs, and feelings, often ignoring or undervaluing those of other people.
- A conceited and self-centered person: An "egoist" can also refer to a person who has an excessively high opinion of themselves, believing they are more important than others.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- He was such an egoist that he never considered how his decisions would affect his colleagues.
- The artist was dismissed as a mere egoist, more interested in self-promotion than in creating meaningful work.
Advanced Usage
- Philosophical context: In ethical philosophy, an "egoist" is someone who believes that self-interest is the foundation of morality. This is a more technical usage.
- The philosopher argued from an egoist perspective, claiming that rational self-interest should guide all actions.
Variants and Related Words
- Egoism (n): The ethical theory that treats self-interest as the foundation of morality. It can also simply mean excessive concern for oneself; selfishness.
- His actions were motivated by pure egoism.
- Egoistic (adj): Behaving in a self-centered or selfish manner. Characteristic of an egoist.
- Her egoistic behavior alienated her friends.
- Egotist (n): This is a closely related but distinct word. An "egotist" is specifically a person who is excessively conceited or self-absorbed and talks about themselves a great deal. While all egotists are egoistic, not all egoists are necessarily vocal egotists.
- The bore at the party was a relentless egotist who only discussed his own achievements.
Synonyms
- Self-centered person: A person preoccupied with their own affairs.
- Self-seeker: A person who pursues their own interests, especially in an opportunistic way.
- Narcissist: A person with an excessive interest in or admiration of themselves (this term has a stronger clinical connotation).
Antonyms
- Altruist: A person who has an unselfish concern for the welfare of others.
- Humanitarian: A person who seeks to promote human welfare.
Related Idioms and Phrases
- To have a big ego: This informal phrase describes someone who is very self-centered or conceited, similar to an egoist.
- It's hard to work with him; he has such a big ego.
The egoist sits at a large dining table piled high with gourmet food, eating greedily while ignoring the empty plates of the people sitting next to him.
Noun
- a self-centered person with little regard for others
- a conceited and self-centered person