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adj B2 Upper-Intermediate

unselfish

Unselfish (adj) means willing to put others' needs ahead of one's own; generous. Example: “Her unselfish devotion to the charity inspired the whole team.”

adj
1
Willing to put others' needs ahead of one's own; generous.
"Her unselfish devotion to the charity inspired the whole team."
"It was an unselfish gesture to give up his seat."

How to use unselfish

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishPutting others first rather than thinking only of oneself.

Easily confused with
Common pairings
unselfish act unselfish devotion

Word forms

more unselfish comparative, most unselfish superlative

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Her _____ devotion to the charity inspired the whole team.

Etymology

From un- ("not") plus selfish.

Antonyms

Related words

Rhymes for unselfish

See all rhymes for unselfish →

Frequently asked questions

What does “unselfish” mean?

The word “unselfish” means willing to put others' needs ahead of one's own; generous. In plain terms, putting others first rather than thinking only of oneself.

How do you use “unselfish” in a sentence?

Here is “unselfish” used in a sentence: “Her unselfish devotion to the charity inspired the whole team.”

What is the opposite of “unselfish”?

The opposite of “unselfish” — its antonyms — is selfish.

What part of speech is “unselfish”?

“Unselfish” is an adjective.

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