Dictionary
self–interest
noun self–in·ter·est \-ˈin-t(ə-)rəst; -ˈin-tə-ˌrest, -ˌtrest; -ˈin-tərst\
: concern only for getting what you want or need and not about what happens to other people
: your own interest or advantage
Full Definition of SELF-INTEREST
1
: a concern for one's own advantage and well-being <acted out of self–interest and fear>
2
: one's own interest or advantage <self–interest requires that we be generous in foreign aid>
— self–in·ter·est·ed adjective
— self–in·ter·est·ed·ly adverb
— self–in·ter·est·ed·ness noun
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First Known Use of SELF-INTEREST
1649
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