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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The team had a group task to accomplish, yes, but at every checkpoint, people had to make the decision to be selfish or selfless, and the selfish ones got rewarded while the selfless were left abandoned and miserable on the loch. Joe Reid, Vulture, 7 Mar. 2025 While the owner is thankful for Frank's selfless act of caring for her bestie's babies, the house isn't the same without Thunder. Tommy Tuberville, Newsweek, 6 Mar. 2025 Humble, selfless, confident, brave, an encyclopedia of knowledge and experience about the 20th century until now. Virginia Chamlee, People.com, 24 Feb. 2025 Insisting a relative stranger get into her car to catch their last train home is perhaps the purest distillation of the selfless and protective instinct for which she is known on the pitch. Megan Feringa, The Athletic, 21 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for selfless

Word History

First Known Use

1651, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of selfless was in 1651

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Selfless.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/selfless. Accessed 15 Mar. 2025.

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
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