selfish

adjective

self·​ish ˈsel-fish 

1

: concerned excessively or exclusively with oneself : seeking or concentrating on one's own advantage, pleasure, or well-being without regard for others

2

: arising from concern with one's own welfare or advantage in disregard of others

a selfish act

3

: being an actively replicating repetitive sequence of nucleic acid that serves no known function

selfish DNA

also : being genetic material solely concerned with its own replication

selfish genes

Synonyms of selfish

• egocentric
• narcissistic
• self-centered
• self-absorbed
• egoistic
• self-interested
• egotistic
• egomaniacal
• solipsistic
• self-involved
• self-concerned
• self-serving
• self-obsessed
• self-oriented
• self-regarding
• self-preoccupied
• self-seeking
• self-loving

Examples of selfish in a Sentence

She's interested only in her own selfish concerns.

I wish he'd spend less time with his friends and more time with me. Am I being selfish?

Recent Examples on the Web

Erika is manipulative and selfish; Elliot doesn’t respect her boundaries either. — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 30 July 2026

This Fire sign reminds us that taking up space and being unapologetically yourself isn’t inherently selfish, and genuine self-expression can be incredibly brave. — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 29 July 2026

Skubal, who missed more than a month after eventually having surgery to remove a loose body from his elbow, mostly disagreed with public reaction painting him as greedy or selfish in not disclosing the strange feeling that had lingered in his arm. — Cody Stavenhagen, New York Times, 24 July 2026

Nikki is critical of the latter, calling it selfish and cowardly. — Sabrina Reed, Forbes.com, 20 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1628, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for selfish

• unselfish

Kids Definition

selfish

adjective

self·​ish ˈsel-fish 

: taking care of oneself without thought for others

selfishly adverb

selfishness noun

Medical Definition

selfish

adjective

self·​ish ˈsel-fish 

: being an actively replicating repetitive sequence of nucleic acid that serves no known function

selfish DNA

also : being genetic material solely concerned with its own replication

selfish genes