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

Until the evolution of behavioral economics in the '60s, the theory that people acted rationally to benefit their own self-interests was accepted as a part of economic theory. —Christopher Steward, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2025

The other half involved a dilemma between self-interest and the interests of others, and had ambiguous outcomes, such as deciding whether to help a neighbor at the expense of personal work deadlines. —New Atlas, 20 Aug. 2025

How corporations, in self-interest and self-greed, are bending at the knee to please our rulers? —Michael Schneider, Variety, 19 Aug. 2025

The incumbent president is unique for his sharp, loose tongue and shameless pursuit of his self-interest, yes. —Isaac Schorr, The Washington Examiner, 8 Aug. 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