selfish

adjective

self·​ish ˈsel-fish 

1

: concerned excessively or exclusively with oneself : seeking or concentrating on one's own advantage, pleasure, or well-being without regard for others

2

: arising from concern with one's own welfare or advantage in disregard of others

a selfish act

3

: being an actively replicating repetitive sequence of nucleic acid that serves no known function

selfish DNA

also : being genetic material solely concerned with its own replication

selfish genes

Synonyms

• egocentric
• egoistic
• egoistical
• egomaniacal
• egotistic
• egotistical
• narcissistic
• self-absorbed
• self-centered
• self-concerned
• self-infatuated
• self-interested
• self-involved
• self-loving
• self-obsessed
• self-oriented
• self-preoccupied
• self-regarding
• self-seeking
• self-serving
• solipsistic

Examples of selfish in a Sentence

She's interested only in her own selfish concerns.

I wish he'd spend less time with his friends and more time with me. Am I being selfish?

Recent Examples on the Web

Martin, who at this point knows just how selfish and destructive Tomas is, caves to his worst impulses and tops him silly. —Samantha Allen, Them, 10 Feb. 2025

While Zoe and Grant chat on the rooftop patio, everyone else mills around in the gym, complaining about their rival’s selfish mood. —Kristen Baldwin, EW.com, 4 Feb. 2025

Remember, this person is a selfish moron for flying sick. —Christopher Elliott, USA TODAY, 7 Feb. 2025

How exactly is her kid not being selfish while yours is? —Kristan Hawkins, Newsweek, 6 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1628, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

selfish

adjective

self·​ish ˈsel-fish 

: taking care of oneself without thought for others

selfishly adverb

selfishness noun

Medical Definition

selfish

adjective

self·​ish ˈsel-fish 

: being an actively replicating repetitive sequence of nucleic acid that serves no known function

selfish DNA

also : being genetic material solely concerned with its own replication

selfish genes