EGOISM

Pronunciation (US):

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IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does egoism mean? 

• EGOISM (noun)
  The noun EGOISM has 2 senses:

1. (ethics) the theory that the pursuit of your own welfare in the basis of morality

2. concern for your own interests and welfare

  Familiarity information: EGOISM used as a noun is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• EGOISM (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

(ethics) the theory that the pursuit of your own welfare in the basis of morality

Classified under:

Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents

Hypernyms ("egoism" is a kind of...):

theory (a belief that can guide behavior)

Domain category:

ethics; moral philosophy (the philosophical study of moral values and rules)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Concern for your own interests and welfare

Classified under:

Nouns denoting attributes of people and objects

Synonyms:

egocentrism; egoism; self-centeredness; self-concern; self-interest

Hypernyms ("egoism" is a kind of...):

trait (a distinguishing feature of your personal nature)

Antonym:

altruism (the quality of unselfish concern for the welfare of others)

Derivation:

egoist (a self-centered person with little regard for others)

egoist (a conceited and self-centered person)

 Context examples 

If this be an ordered selfishness, then we should pause before we condemn any one for the vice of egoism, for there may be deeper root for its causes than we have knowledge of.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)