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noun

egoist

EE-goh-ihst

Egoist (noun) means someone who believes that self-interest is, or should be, the basis of moral action. Example: “The philosopher argued from an egoist position that all actions are ultimately self-serving.”

noun
1
Someone who believes that self-interest is, or should be, the basis of moral action.
"The philosopher argued from an egoist position that all actions are ultimately self-serving."
2
A self-centered person who puts their own interests first.
"He's a classic egoist, never once asking how anyone else was doing."

How to Use Egoist

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA person driven mainly by self-interest, or someone who philosophically defends self-interest as the right basis for action.

Easily confused with
egotist

Word Forms

egoists plural

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The philosopher argued from an _____ position that all actions are ultimately self-serving.

Etymology

From French égoïste, built on Latin ego ("I") plus the agent suffix -iste.

Origin: Latin

egocentric egotist swellhead

Related Words

Rhymes for egoist

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does “egoist” mean?

The word “egoist” means someone who believes that self-interest is, or should be, the basis of moral action. In plain terms, a person driven mainly by self-interest, or someone who philosophically defends self-interest as the right basis for action.

How do you pronounce “egoist”?

“Egoist” is pronounced EE-goh-ihst (/ˈiːɡoʊ.ɪst/ in IPA).

How do you use “egoist” in a sentence?

Here is “egoist” used in a sentence: “The philosopher argued from an egoist position that all actions are ultimately self-serving.”

What part of speech is “egoist”?

“Egoist” is a noun.

Where does the word “egoist” come from?

The word “egoist” comes from Latin. From French égoïste, built on Latin ego ("I") plus the agent suffix -iste.

How many meanings does “egoist” have?

“Egoist” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: someone who believes that self-interest is, or should be, the basis of moral action.

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