self-interest

1 of 2

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

self-interested

2 of 2

adjective

: characterized or motivated by self-interest

self-interestedness

(ˈ)⸗¦⸗(⸗)(ˌ)⸗⸗⸗

noun

Synonyms of self-interest

Noun

• selfishness
• selfness
• vanity
• ego
• egoism

Examples of self-interest in a Sentence

Noun

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

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Taxpayers will no longer bankroll an organization that puts its own self-interests ahead of the Americans it was created to serve. —Matthew Rodriguez, CBS News, 12 June 2026

Here, animals serve as vessels for our worst impulses, suffering at the point where curiosity turns to sadism, domination to cruelty, and self-interest to neglect. —Literary Hub, 9 June 2026

Accounting for self-interest A second theme is the recognition of how human motivations interact with institutions. —Jordan Cash, The Conversation, 8 June 2026

Paradoxically, those firms that do the right thing and prioritize value for the customer make more money than those that pursue their own self-interest. —Steve Denning, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

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