self ‧ ish /ˈselfɪʃ/ BrE AmE adjective
caring only about yourself and not about other people – used to show disapproval:
How can you be so selfish?
selfish behaviour
—selfishly adverb :
a small child behaving selfishly
—selfishness noun [uncountable] :
a lack of greed and selfishness
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THESAURUS
▪ selfish thinking only about what you need or want, and not thinking about how other people feel or what other people want – used especially when criticizing a person or their behaviour:
Amy, don’t be selfish. Let the others have a turn.
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'I’m not doing this for selfish reasons,' he said.
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It was a very selfish thing to do.
▪ egocentric ( also self-centred British English , self-centered American English ) believing that what you do and think is the most important thing, and not paying attention to what anyone else thinks or does – used when describing someone’s personality:
Teenagers can be highly egocentric, and sometimes find it difficult to see another person’s point of view.
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Children start off as self-centred little beings and they do not naturally think of the other person.
▪ egotistical believing that you are better or more important than other people:
Like many famous writers I’ve met, he was arrogant and egotistical.
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He’s just another young player who has gone out of control in the increasingly egotistical world of professional sports.
▪ self-serving only thinking of getting advantages for yourself:
People’s fears are exaggerated by self-serving politicians.
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They described the report as ‘self-serving and contradictory’.
▪ think of nobody but yourself ( also only think about yourself ) to only think of what you want to do, and not consider what other people want – often used when criticizing someone who does this:
The trouble with Alan is that he thinks of nobody but himself.
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Before I had children, I only thought about myself and what I wanted.
▪ it’s always me me me! informal used when criticizing someone for being selfish:
It’s always me, me, me with you and I have had enough. I don’t need this – you’re welcome to yourself, my dear.