# unselfish

/ʌnsˈɛlfɪʃ/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/unselfish
Updated: 2026-05-30

## Definition

thinking about other people's needs and wants before your own. You use this to describe someone who is kind and does not care about their own interests.

For teachers: concerned more with the needs and welfare of others than with one's own. Often used to describe a person's character or a specific act of generosity.

## Examples

- She is very unselfish and always shares her toys with others.
- The unselfish nature of the volunteers allowed the charity to help hundreds of families during the crisis.
- While many leaders prioritize their own political careers, an unselfish approach to governance focuses on the long-term prosperity of the nation as a whole.

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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.