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Definition of 'altruism'

Word Frequency

altruism

(æltruɪzəm )
uncountable noun
Altruism is unselfish concern for other people's happiness and welfare.
Synonyms: selflessness, charity, consideration, goodwill   More Synonyms of altruism
COBUILD Advanced English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers

Video: pronunciation of 'altruism'

Word Frequency

altruism in British

(ˈæltruːˌɪzəm )
noun
1. 
the principle or practice of unselfish concern for the welfare of others
2. 
the philosophical doctrine that right action is that which produces the greatest benefit to others
Compare egoism, See also utilitarianism
Collins English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
Derived forms
altruist (ˈaltruist)
  noun
altruistic (ˌaltruˈistic)
  adjective
altruistically (ˌaltruˈistically)
  adverb
Word origin of 'altruism'
C19: from French altruisme, from Italian altrui others, from Latin alterī, plural of alter other
Word Frequency

altruism in American

(ˈæltruˌɪzəm ; alˈtro̅oizˌəm)
noun
1. 
unselfish concern for the welfare of others; selflessness
2.  Ethics
the doctrine that the general welfare of society is the proper goal of an individual's actions
see also egoism
Webster’s New World College Dictionary, 4th Edition. Copyright © 2010 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. All rights reserved.
Derived forms
altruist (ˈaltruist)
  noun
Word origin of 'altruism'
Fr altruisme < It altrui or Fr autrui, of or to others < L alter, another: see alter

Example sentences containing 'altruism'

These examples have been automatically selected and may contain sensitive content. Read more…
This work is not just a show of altruism. Times, Sunday Times (2008)He said that they had shown courage and altruism and made the supreme sacrifice. Times, Sunday Times (2015)What other human behaviour has its origins in reciprocal altruism? Times, Sunday Times (2010)He has used his sporting status to entice people into altruism. Times, Sunday Times (2014)Taking all this trouble to build such a sympathetic environment was not done out of pure altruism but to improve the organisation. Times, Sunday Times (2006)Theirs is a mixture of altruism and self-interest. Times, Sunday Times (2011)Nobody pretends that the retailers' attempts to green themselves are pure altruism. Times, Sunday Times (2007)He showed unflinching altruism, risking all for people he did not know. Times, Sunday Times (2007)They appealed to people 's altruism. Times, Sunday Times (2012)Honours should be for people who have shown genuine altruism and dedication and commitment to helping others, or making this country stronger. The Sun (2014)My reason for acquiring one is self-interest, not altruism. Times, Sunday Times (2006)This behaviour is known as reciprocal altruism - self-interested and interested in others at the same time. Times, Sunday Times (2008)Human co-operation is reciprocal altruism. Times, Sunday Times (2010)So alongside reciprocal altruism there evolved ways of identifying people who would - if you did a favour for them - do a favour back. Times, Sunday Times (2010)

Trends of 'altruism'

In Common Usage. altruism is one of the 10000 most commonly used words in the Collins dictionary

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Translations for 'altruism'

British English: altruism NOUN
Altruism is unselfish concern for other people's happiness and welfare.
Fortunately, volunteers are not motivated by self-interest, but by altruism.
  • American English: altruism
  • Brazilian Portuguese: altruísmo
  • Chinese: 利他主义
  • European Spanish: altruismo
  • French: altruisme
  • German: Altruismus
  • Italian: altruismo
  • Japanese: 利他主義
  • Korean: 이타심
  • European Portuguese: altruísmo
  • Spanish: altruismo

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Nearby words of 'altruism'

  • altrices
  • altricial
  • Altrincham
  • altruism
  • altruistic
  • ALU
  • aludel

  • All ENGLISH words that begin with 'A'

Source

Definition of altruism from the Collins English Dictionary

Reflexive pronouns

Reflexive pronouns are used: person singular plural 1st 2nd 3rd masculine 3rd feminine 3rd neuter General myself yourself himself herself itself oneself ourselves yourselves themselves th...
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Scrabble score for 'altruism': 10
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