selfless

adjective

self·​less ˈsel-fləs How to pronounce selfless (audio)
Synonyms of selfless
: 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.
Collin tries to turn him into an emblematic twentieth-century figure, an absurd hero out of, say, Camus, who can find himself (and also lose himself) only through selfless service. — David Denby, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026 Her life offers a powerful blueprint for selfless advocacy, demonstrating how to use one's position to uplift others and challenge injustice. — Janice Gassam Asare, Forbes.com, 28 Aug. 2026 His was the type of selfless service that is so desperately needed today. — Bobby Zirkin, Baltimore Sun, 24 Aug. 2026 Your entire roster - or at least nearly all of your roster - must be selfless, buy in, and put winning ahead of personal goals. — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 18 Aug. 2026 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

self-legislating
selfless
self-life
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Selfless.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/selfless. Accessed 5 Sep. 2026.

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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

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for selfless

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