ENGLISH
REFERENCE

selfish

adj.
B1 Intermediate US //ˈsɛɫfɪʃ// UK //sˈɛlfɪʃ// self·ish

adj. caring only about yourself and not thinking about what other people need or want. You use this to describe someone who does not share or help others.

adj. lacking consideration for others; concerned chiefly with one's own personal profit or pleasure. In a biological context, it describes genes or behaviors that maximize their own replication or survival at the expense of others.


SIMPLE

It was selfish of him to eat all the cake.

CONTEXTUAL

The child was accused of being selfish because he refused to share his toys with his younger sister.

COMPLEX

The theory of the selfish gene suggests that biological evolution is driven by the survival of genetic material rather than the well-being of the individual organism or species.

Antonyms
Origin

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

Usage

Typically used as an attributive adjective before a noun or as a predicative adjective after a linking verb like 'be' or 'seem'.

Pitfall

he is a selfish person of his timehe is being selfish with his timeWhen describing temporary behavior rather than a permanent character trait, use the continuous form 'being selfish'.

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