Standard Lemma guide

selfishly

adv · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

adv

Meaning 1

In a selfish manner; with regard to private interest only or chiefly.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

adverb

Meaning 2

in an egotistical manner

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • he behaved egotistically

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: egotistically

Antonyms: unselfishly

History

Etymology

Etymology tree English selfish Middle English -ly English -ly English selfishly From selfish + -ly.

Across languages

Translations

7 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Catalan: egoistament — in a selfish manner
  • Estonian: isekalt — in a selfish manner
  • Galician: egoistamente — in a selfish manner
  • Polish: egoistycznie — in a selfish manner
  • Polish: samolubnie — in a selfish manner
  • Portuguese: egoistamente — in a selfish manner
  • Spanish: egoístamente — in a selfish manner