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selflesscaring more about other people's needs and wishes than your own

Part of speech: ADJECTIVE

Definition: caring more about other people's needs and wishes than your own

Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈselfləs/

Example Sentences

  • The firefighter's selfless courage saved three cats from the burning pet store.
  • Mother Teresa was known for her selfless dedication to helping the poor.
  • His selfless decision to give up his concert ticket to his girlfriend made her cry with joy.

selfless

ADJECTIVE

[/ˈselfləs/]

caring more about other people's needs and wishes than your own

The firefighter ran back into the flames to save a stranger's child, selfless to the core.
💡 Concept

The firefighter ran back into the flames to save a stranger's child, selfless to the core.

Selfless hearts make the helpless hopeful, with endless care!
🎵 Rhyme

Selfless hearts make the helpless hopeful, with endless care!

Got the picture? Now let's practice.

🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/ˈselfləs/
🇬🇧 UK/ˈselfləs/

🌳Etymology

Rootself
Suffix--less

Origin

Selfless is a compound formation in English combining the noun 'self' (meaning one's own person) with the productive suffix '-less' (meaning without or lacking). The word emerged to describe the quality of being free from self-interest or personal concern.

Breakdown

self (one's own person) + -less (without, lacking). The suffix '-less' derives from Old English 'laes' meaning without or deprived of.

🎵Rhyme

helplessendlesshopeless
helpless
endless
hopeless

🔗Collocations

selfless act
selfless devotion
selfless sacrifice
selfless love
selfless service
selfless behavior
selfless individual

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

The firefighter's selfless courage saved three cats from the burning pet store.

Mother Teresa was known for her selfless dedication to helping the poor.

😄 Fun example

His selfless decision to give up his concert ticket to his girlfriend made her cry with joy.

Volunteers showed selfless commitment during the disaster relief efforts.

📚Related Words

Synonyms

altruisticunselfishgenerousself-sacrificingcharitable

Antonyms

selfishself-centeredegotistical

Related

generouscompassionatenoblevirtuoushumanitarian

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