| Library / English Dictionary |
UNSELFISH
| Pronunciation (US): |  | (GB): | |
I. (adjective)
Sense 1
Meaning:
Not greedy
Classified under:
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)
Sense 2
Meaning:
Disregarding your own advantages and welfare over those of others
Classified under:
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)
Context examples:
Often when she woke Jo found Beth reading in her well-worn little book, heard her singing softly, to beguile the sleepless night, or saw her lean her face upon her hands, while slow tears dropped through the transparent fingers, and Jo would lie watching her with thoughts too deep for tears, feeling that Beth, in her simple, unselfish way, was trying to wean herself from the dear old life, and fit herself for the life to come, by sacred words of comfort, quiet prayers, and the music she loved so well.
(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)
Little girl, your honesty and pluck have made me a friend, and that's rarer than a lover; it's more unselfish anyhow.
(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)
I presume that the sanguine temperament itself and the disturbing influence end in a mentally-accomplished finish; a possibly dangerous man, probably dangerous if unselfish.
(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)
I am not at liberty to give you the whole of my reasons; but you may, I assure you, take it from me that they are good ones, sound and unselfish, and spring from the highest sense of duty.
(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)
