UNSELFISH

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does unselfish mean? 

• UNSELFISH (adjective)
  The adjective UNSELFISH has 2 senses:

1. disregarding your own advantages and welfare over those of others

2. not greedy

  Familiarity information: UNSELFISH used as an adjective is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• UNSELFISH (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Disregarding your own advantages and welfare over those of others

Similar:

public-spirited (showing unselfish interest in the public welfare)

self-denying; self-giving; self-sacrificing (willing to deprive yourself)

self-forgetful (showing lack of self-interest)

sharing (unselfishly willing to share with others)

Also:

altruistic; selfless (showing unselfish concern for the welfare of others)

considerate (showing concern for the rights and feelings of others)

generous (willing to give and share unstintingly)

Antonym:

selfish (concerned chiefly or only with yourself and your advantage to the exclusion of others)

Derivation:

unselfishness (acting generously)

unselfishness (the quality of not putting yourself first but being willing to give your time or money or effort etc. for others)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Not greedy

Similar:

generous (willing to give and share unstintingly)

Derivation:

unselfishness (acting generously)

unselfishness (the quality of not putting yourself first but being willing to give your time or money or effort etc. for others)

 Context examples 

He was noble, unselfish, loving—all that my husband was not.

(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

But we must be brave of heart and unselfish, and do our duty, and all will be well!

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

“An altruistic act is an act performed for the welfare of others. It is unselfish, as opposed to an act performed for self, which is selfish.”

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

It did not accord with the rationality of plan, the moderation in expense, or even the unselfish warmth of heart, which she had believed herself to discern in him yesterday.

(Emma, by Jane Austen)

"I'm as unselfish as a famished hog."

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

Here, cherished like a household saint in its shrine, sat Beth, tranquil and busy as ever, for nothing could change the sweet, unselfish nature, and even while preparing to leave life, she tried to make it happier for those who should remain behind.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

If I only could have as strong a cause as my poor mad friend there—a good, unselfish cause to make me work—that would be indeed happiness.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

The high object of our mission, the consciousness that it was unselfish and chivalrous, the villainous character of our opponent, all added to the sporting interest of the adventure.

(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Then it was that Jo, living in the darkened room, with that suffering little sister always before her eyes and that pathetic voice sounding in her ears, learned to see the beauty and the sweetness of Beth's nature, to feel how deep and tender a place she filled in all hearts, and to acknowledge the worth of Beth's unselfish ambition to live for others, and make home happy by that exercise of those simple virtues which all may possess, and which all should love and value more than talent, wealth, or beauty.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

It seemed but poor comfort to so brave and unselfish a soul, and impulsively I bent over and kissed him.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)