Standard Lemma guide

selflessly

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 selfless manner; done in a way that disregards concerns for the self and places other first.

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 altruistic manner

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • he acted selflessly when he helped the old lady in distress

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: altruistically

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

Etymology tree English selfless Middle English -ly English -ly English selflessly From selfless + -ly.

Across languages

Translations

3 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Greek: ανυστερόβουλα (anysteróvoula) — in a selfless manner
  • Italian: altruisticamente — in a selfless manner
  • Italian: disinteressatamente — in a selfless manner