selflessly
selflessly — adjective
- selflesslypositive
- more selflesslycomparative
- most selflesslysuperlative
1. describes someone who cares more about what other people need or want than about
describes someone who cares more about what other people need or want than about what they themselves need or want.
Caleb's selfless decision to donate his savings to the children's hospital surprised his whole family.
adjective + noun: selfless decision / selfless act / selfless care
The village nurse provided selfless care for elderly patients for more than thirty years.
Jisoo's selfless attitude inspired her teammates to volunteer for the community clean-up project.
Giving up her weekend to help a friend move house was a truly selfless act.
Obi's selfless support helped his younger brother pass every end-of-year exam.
- unselfish
more common in everyday speech; same core meaning
- altruistic
more formal and often used in academic or psychological contexts
- generous
focuses on giving freely, not necessarily with personal sacrifice
- selfish
the direct opposite; caring only about your own needs
- self-centred
focuses on being absorbed in one's own concerns
用法筆記
Often used before nouns such as <i>act</i>, <i>decision</i>, <i>care</i>, <i>support</i>, or <i>attitude</i> to describe helpful behaviour that involves personal sacrifice.
常見錯誤
selflessly — adverb
1. putting the needs or wishes of other people before your own, even when it costs
putting the needs or wishes of other people before your own, even when it costs you time, money, or effort.
Shirin worked selflessly for the refugee organisation, often staying late without extra pay.
adverb + verb of giving/service: worked selflessly / served selflessly / cared selflessly
The firefighters selflessly ran into the burning building to rescue the family trapped upstairs.
Mathieu selflessly gave up his seat on the crowded train for an elderly woman carrying heavy bags.
For years Nadia selflessly cared for her sick mother while holding down a full-time office job.
Lucía selflessly shared her research notes with classmates who had missed the lecture due to illness.
- unselfishly
more common in conversation; same core meaning
- altruistically
formal; used in academic or professional writing
- selfishly
the direct opposite; in a way that puts your own needs first
用法筆記
Commonly modifies verbs of giving, helping, or caring (e.g. <i>work</i>, <i>care</i>, <i>serve</i>, <i>give</i>, <i>share</i>, <i>donate</i>). The sense of personal cost or sacrifice is nearly always present.