selfless

adjective

self·​less ˈsel-fləs How to pronounce selfless (audio)
: having no concern for self : unselfish
selflessly adverb
selflessness noun

Examples of selfless in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web All of these people represent selfless service & the best of America. Chris Pandolfo, Fox News, 9 Mar. 2024 As women, we have been told to be selfless and to think of others first. Holly Corbett, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024 But characters are selfish and selfless, and flawed and brilliant, and heroic. Georg Szalai, The Hollywood Reporter, 26 Feb. 2024 Officials put the price of materials for the temple at just under $100 million, but BAPS relies on volunteer labor, which blurs lines between uncompensated work and the concept of selfless service. Jon Gambrell, Quartz, 12 Feb. 2024 Pitched as a blend of surreal horror and selfless love, the film is a fictionalization of reportedly real events in rural India, in which a couple arranges to be eaten by a tiger in order to ensure their family’s financial security. Patrick Frater, Variety, 12 Feb. 2024 Jonathan is loved by many and was a great example of selfless love. Patrick Smith, NBC News, 2 Feb. 2024 If Purdy is the selfless ball distributor, Mahomes has been compared with Stephen Curry for his transcendent skill set and is a big admirer of Kobe Bryant in terms of willing a team to victory. Jerry McDonald, The Mercury News, 9 Feb. 2024 William, nursing a sick wife, dutifully heads back to the royal front line in the selfless tradition of his late grandmother. Adela Suliman, Washington Post, 8 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'selfless.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1651, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of selfless was in 1651

Dictionary Entries Near selfless

Cite this Entry

“Selfless.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/selfless. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

selfless

adjective
self·​less ˈsel-fləs How to pronounce selfless (audio)
: having no concern for self : unselfish
selflessly adverb
selflessness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on selfless

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!