self-interest

[ self-in-trist, -in-ter-ist, self- ]

noun

1. regard for one's own interest or advantage, especially with disregard for others:

   He appears to be motivated solely by self-interest, greed, and an insatiable hunger for self-aggrandizement.

2. personal interest or advantage:

   It is particularly hard to understand why a group would vote against its own self-interest.

3. Economics. the doctrine that acting to one’s own benefit or advantage can also result in a benefit for society at large:

   Adam Smith believed that individuals pursuing rational self-interest would create wealth through efficient production and competition.

self-interest

noun

1. one's personal interest or advantage
2. the act or an instance of pursuing one's own interest

Derived Forms

• ˌself-ˈinterestedness, noun
• ˌself-ˈinterested, adjective

Other Words From

• self-in·ter·est·ed adjective
• self-in·ter·est·ed·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of self-interest¹

First recorded in 1640–50

Example Sentences

He imagined a future in which “resources and livable conditions are scarce. Scarcity is the rule, and requires a degree of self-interest. Population problems are beyond solution by migration. No habitable unclaimed lands remain.”

From Salon

“Let's dispense with any idea that climate finance is charity. An ambitious new climate finance goal is entirely in the self-interest of every nation, including the largest and wealthiest,” he told delegates.

From BBC

Trump “doesn’t have much ideology, except self, so probably it depends on what he thinks is in his self-interest.”

From Los Angeles Times

Karen’s latest act of aggression in service of protecting her own self-interest?

From Los Angeles Times

Tricking men into voting against their self-interest using cheap appeals to toxic masculinity is very on-brand for him.

From Salon

Related Words

• arrogance
• egotism
• narcissism
• self-confidence
• selfishness