# altruistic

/ˌɔɫtɹuˈɪstɪk/ (US) · /ˌɔːltɹuːˈɪstɪk/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/altruistic
Updated: 2026-05-18

## Definition

describing someone who does things for others without expecting anything in return. You use this to describe people who help others because they care, not because they want to get a reward.

For teachers: describing an action or quality that benefits others without any expectation of personal gain or reward. Often used to describe selfless behavior in social or biological contexts.

## Examples

- She is very altruistic and always helps her neighbors.
- The altruistic nature of the volunteers allowed the charity to continue its work without relying on government funding.
- Evolutionary biologists often study altruistic behaviors to understand how cooperation can persist in a world where individuals must compete for limited resources.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.