selfishness

UK: /ˈsɛlfɪʃnɪs/

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

self•ish /ˈsɛlfɪʃ/   adj. 

1. caring only or chiefly for oneself:
   a selfish child; selfish motives.

self•ish•ly, adv. 
self•ish•ness, n. [uncountable]

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

self•ish  (sel′fish), adj. 

1. devoted to or caring only for oneself;
   concerned primarily with one's own interests, benefits, welfare, etc., regardless of others.
2. characterized by or manifesting concern or care only for oneself:
   selfish motives.

• self + -ish¹ 1630–40

self′ish•ly, adv. 
self′ish•ness, n. 
Synonyms

• 1. self-interested, self-seeking, egoistic; illiberal, parsimonious, stingy.