Selfishness

Pronunciation: /ˈsɛlfɪʃnəs/

Definitions of selfishness

noun a quality or characteristic of being concerned primarily with one's own interests, benefits, and well-being, often at the expense of others

Example Sentences

A1 Selfishness is not a good trait to have.

A2 Her selfishness often gets in the way of her relationships.

B1 Selfishness can lead to conflicts within a group.

B2 It is important to recognize and address our own selfishness.

C1 His selfishness knows no bounds, causing harm to those around him.

C2 The politician's selfishness was evident in his decision-making, prioritizing his own interests over the needs of the people.

Examples of selfishness in a Sentence

formal Selfishness is often seen as a negative trait in the workplace.

informal Her selfishness really showed when she refused to share her dessert.

slang Don't be so selfish, share some of your chips with us!

figurative The selfishness of the politicians was evident in their refusal to compromise for the greater good.

Grammatical Forms of selfishness

• past tense: was selfish
• plural: selfishnesses
• comparative: more selfish
• superlative: most selfish
• present tense: is selfish
• future tense: will be selfish
• perfect tense: has been selfish
• continuous tense: is being selfish
• singular: selfishness
• positive degree: selfish
• infinitive: to be selfish
• gerund: being selfish
• participle: selfish

Origin and Evolution of selfishness

First Known Use: 1601 year

Language of Origin: Old English

Story behind the word: The word 'selfishness' is believed to have originated from the Old English word 'selfisc', which means 'self-centered'.

Evolution of the word: Over time, the word 'selfishness' has come to be associated with negative connotations of excessive concern for oneself at the expense of others.