selfish

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English

Alternative forms

Etymology

From self +‎ -ish. Compare Danish selvisk (“selfish”), Swedish självisk (“selfish”).

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ˈsɛlf.ɪʃ/,
  • Audio (US)(file)
  • Rhymes: -ɛlfɪʃ

Adjective

selfish (comparative more selfish or (proscribed) selfisher, superlative most selfish or (proscribed) selfishest)

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    Please see Module:checkparams for help with this warning.    (The addition of quotations indicative of this usage is being sought:) Holding one's own self-interest as the standard for decision making.
    • 1997, John Peniel, chapter 10, in The Children Of The Law Of One & The Lost Teachings Of Atlantis, page 127:
      “We all have both a selfish separate self, and an Inner Being that is One with the Universal Spirit. In this sense, every human has a sort of ‘split personality’. We are all kind of what you call ‘schitzy’ with these two sides, these two people living within us. And they are in total opposition. The free will dictates which of these two sides will have its way in our life, at every given moment.”
  2. Having regard for oneself above others’ well-being.
  3. (video games) Of video game characters: relying on their own actions and capabilities to be effective in the game, rather than on other characters.
    • 2021, Sid Natividad, Thegamer‎:
      With that said, there is a perk to Xiao being a selfish DPS. He plays like Razor where he needs to be out in the field more than 90 percent of the time. Compared to Diluc, Xiao is more independent when it comes to dealing damage.

Usage notes

  • Said of people and their thoughts and actions, such as motives, desires, acts.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Derived terms

Translations

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See also

Anagrams

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