How Do You Spell SELFISH?

Pronunciation: [sˈɛlfɪʃ] (IPA)

The word "selfish" is spelled with the sequence of letters "s-e-l-f-i-s-h." This can be broken down into IPA phonetic transcription as /ˈsɛlfɪʃ/. The initial syllable is pronounced with an open "e" sound, followed by the "l" sound, then the "f" sound, and finally the "ish" ending, which is pronounced with the same "i" sound as in "if." This word refers to an individual who is primarily concerned with their own interests or needs, often at the expense of others.

Meaning and Definition
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Etymology
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SELFISH Meaning and Definition

  1. Selfish (adjective):

    1. Denoting an individual's preoccupation with their own interests, desires, and well-being, often to the detriment of others or at the expense of collective benefits. A selfish person exhibits little or no concern for the needs, emotions, or well-being of others in their actions and decisions, placing their own aspirations and desires above the welfare of those around them.

    2. Characterized by a self-centric mindset, selfish individuals prioritize personal gain and satisfaction over the welfare of others, displaying a lack of empathy or consideration for the feelings and needs of those affected by their actions.

    3. Manifesting a disposition marked by a failure to share resources, advice, or assistance willingly or generously; selfish people tend to hoard their possessions, knowledge, or opportunities, reluctant to engage in acts of benevolence or support.

    4. Displaying a persistent inclination towards self-centeredness in relationships, selfish individuals often seek validation and attention, disregarding the needs, wants, and happiness of their partners, family members, or friends, valuing their own satisfaction or gratification above fostering healthy and balanced connections.

    5. Exhibiting a disregard for collective goals or community well-being, selfishness denotes a lack of commitment to social responsibility, cooperation, and altruistic gestures, hindering the development of harmonious and compassionate societies.

  2. Having chiefly or solely a view to one's own interest; influenced in actions from motives of private advantage; without regard for others.

    Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.

Top Common Misspellings for SELFISH *

* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.

Other Common Misspellings for SELFISH

Etymology of SELFISH

The word "selfish" originated from the combination of two Old English words: "self" and "ish".

The term "self" has its root in the Old English word "self", which refers to the individual person, the personal identity, or the individual's essential nature.

The suffix "-ish" is an Old English suffix that transforms a noun or an adjective into an adjective that signifies a characteristic or quality related to the original word. In this case, "ish" modifies the noun "self" to express a quality associated with oneself.

Over time, the combination of "self" and "-ish" evolved from its original meaning of denoting characteristics related to oneself to the modern definition of being primarily concerned with one's own interests or welfare, often at the expense of others.

Idioms with the word SELFISH

  • how selfish, stupid, ungrateful, etc. can you get? This idiom is used to express extreme disbelief or frustration at someone's actions or behavior, typically indicating that they are being exceptionally selfish, stupid, ungrateful, etc. It is often used when someone does something that is considered particularly insensitive or thoughtless.

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