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altruistic

American  
[al-troo-is-tik] / ˌæl truˈɪs tɪk /

adjective

  1. unselfishly concerned for or devoted to the welfare of others (egoistic ).

    Synonyms:
    unselfish, benevolent, philanthropic, generous, charitable
    Antonyms:
    mean, selfish, self-centered

  2. Animal Behavior. of or relating to behavior by an animal that may be to its disadvantage but that benefits others of its kind, often its close relatives.

Other Word Forms

  • altruistically adverb
  • hyperaltruistic adjective
  • nonaltruistic adjective
  • nonaltruistically adverb

Etymology

Origin of altruistic

First recorded in 1850–55; altru(ism) + -istic

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.