self-interest

noun

self-in·​ter·​est ˌself-ˈin-t(ə-)rəst 

-ˈin-tə-ˌrest,

-ˌtrest;

-ˈin-tərst

1

: a concern for one's own advantage and well-being

acted out of self-interest and fear

2

: one's own interest or advantage

self-interest requires that we be generous in foreign aid

self-interested

ˌself-ˈin-t(ə-)rə-stəd 

-ˈin-tə-ˌre-

-ˈin-ˌtre-;

-ˈin-tər-

adjective

self-interestedly adverb

self-interestedness noun

Synonyms

• selfishness
• selfness
• vanity
• ego
• egoism

Examples of self-interest in a Sentence

her degree of self-interest is perhaps best reflected in her favorite topic of conversation—herself

Recent Examples on the Web

As drawn here, the characters are an entirely plausible, fallible mix of peevishness, self-interest and self-sacrifice, especially the parents who learn the most about themselves and each other when push finally comes to shove. —Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 25 Sep. 2025

The hope is that the new independent football regulator will shift the balance and implement rules unhampered by self-interest. —Chris Weatherspoon, New York Times, 24 Sep. 2025

This is a person who's looking out purely for their own self-interest, self-preservation. —ABC News, 21 Sep. 2025

The result is a system rigged for expediency and self-interest, not stewardship. —Andrew King, Fortune, 20 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1595, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for self-interest

• abreast
• accessed
• addressed
• appressed
• armrest
• arrest
• assessed
• attest
• backrest
• behest
• bequest
• caressed

Kids Definition

self-interest

noun

self-in·​ter·​est

ˈsel-ˈfin-trəst,

-ˈfint-ə-rəst

1

: a concern for one's own advantage

acted out of self-interest and fear

2

: one's own interest or advantage