What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
selfless
Example
She made a selfless decision to donate her kidney to her sister. [selfless: adjective]
Example
He is known for his selfless dedication to helping the homeless. [selfless: adjective]
unselfish
Example
Her unselfish nature led her to volunteer at the animal shelter every weekend. [unselfish: adjective]
Example
He showed his unselfishness by giving up his seat on the bus to an elderly woman. [unselfishness: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Unselfish is more commonly used than selfless in everyday language and is often used to describe everyday acts of kindness.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between selfless and unselfish?
Both selfless and unselfish are relatively formal words that are appropriate for use in academic or professional contexts.
