Definition

1. Noun:
   • The quality or state of being selfish: "Selfishness" refers to the condition of being primarily concerned with one's own personal profit or pleasure, often without regard for the well-being of others.
   • A specific act or instance of selfish behavior: It can also denote a particular action or behavior that demonstrates this self-centered quality.

Usage and Examples

• As a general quality:
  • His selfishness made it difficult for him to maintain friendships.
  • The team's failure was blamed on the players' selfishness and lack of cooperation.
• Referring to a specific act:
  • Taking the last piece of cake without asking was an act of pure selfishness.
  • I was disappointed by the selfishness of her decision.

Advanced Usage and Nuances

• Psychological and philosophical context: In discussions of ethics or psychology, "selfishness" is often contrasted with altruism or selflessness, describing a fundamental motivation oriented toward the self.
  • The philosopher argued that all human action is rooted in a degree of selfishness.
• "Blatant/Utter/Sheer selfishness": These collocations emphasize an extreme or obvious degree of the trait.
  • It was sheer selfishness that drove him to abandon his responsibilities.

Variants and Related Words

• Selfish (adj): Having or showing concern only for oneself and not for the needs or feelings of others.
  • a selfish attitude
• Selflessly (adv): In a manner that shows concern for others more than for oneself.
  • He worked selflessly for the community.
• Selflessness (n): The quality of caring more about other people's needs and interests than about your own; the opposite of selfishness.
  • Her selflessness was an inspiration to everyone.

Synonyms

• Egoism: Excessive concern for oneself with or without exaggerated feelings of self-importance.
• Self-centeredness: Preoccupied with oneself and one's affairs.
• Self-interest: One's personal interest or advantage, especially when pursued without regard for others.
• Self-seeking: The act or practice of selfishly advancing one's own aims.

Antonyms

• Altruism: The belief in or practice of disinterested and selfless concern for the well-being of others.
• Generosity: The quality of being kind, understanding, and not selfish.
• Selflessness: The quality of unselfish concern for the welfare of others.
• Unselfishness: The quality of not putting yourself first but being willing to give your time or money, etc., for others.

Idioms and Common Phrases

• A fit of selfishness: A temporary period of acting selfishly.
  • In a fit of selfishness, he refused to share the credit for their success.
• The height of selfishness: Used to describe an action that is considered extremely selfish.
  • Leaving your sick child to go on vacation is the height of selfishness.

Noun

1. stinginess resulting from a concern for your own welfare and a disregard of others