Altruism
noun /ˈæltruɪzəm/ — Selfless concern for others — the choice to prioritize someone else's welfare over your own.
Definition
The belief in or practice of disinterested and selfless concern for the well-being of others; (in zoology) behavior that benefits others at a cost to the individual.
Beyond the definition
Altruism is the concept that has troubled evolutionary biology since Darwin — pure altruism has no genetic payoff. And yet it exists. The word itself was coined by Auguste Comte in the 19th century, as a counterweight to egoism. It names the real human capacity for care that asks nothing in return.
Origin & history
Coined by Auguste Comte in 1851 from French autrui — other people (from Latin alteri: of another). For the other — altruism literally built from the word 'other.' Care for what is other than yourself.
Example sentences
Illustrative sentences for learning, not verified community posts or sourced quotations.
Her altruism was practical rather than ostentatious — she did the things that needed doing without announcement.
The question of whether pure altruism exists is still open; the acts that look like it are real regardless.
Altruism asks nothing in return, which is what makes it so extraordinary when it appears.
How to use it
This entry uses a noun. Follow the examples for articles and singular or plural forms; not every noun takes “a” or “an.”
Choose “Altruism” when the meaning fits your context: The belief in or practice of disinterested and selfless concern for the well-being of others; (in zoology) behavior that benefits others at a cost to the individual.
Synonyms
selflessness, generosity, charity, benevolence, magnanimity
Antonyms
selfishness, egoism, self-interest
Related words
Word in the Wild
See how this word appears in life, language and stories.
Illustrative sentences and imagined stories for learning — not verified sightings, interviews, or sourced quotations.
Illustrative example
Coordinated Journey Together
Canada geese fly together in a V-shaped formation across a wide, clear blue sky.
This image demonstrates altruism through the biological cooperation of the geese. The formation reduces air resistance for the flock, representing behavior that benefits the group at the cost of the individual's extra effort, illustrating selfless concern for the collective well-being in a natural context.
Image credit: John Benson · CC BY 2.0 (license)
Resized and converted to WebP; full composition retained.
Questions about this word
What does "Altruism" mean?
Altruism is noun meaning: Selfless concern for others — the choice to prioritize someone else's welfare over your own.. The belief in or practice of disinterested and selfless concern for the well-being of others; (in zoology) behavior that benefits others at a cost to the individual.
Where does the word "Altruism" come from?
Coined by Auguste Comte in 1851 from French autrui — other people (from Latin alteri: of another). For the other — altruism literally built from the word 'other.' Care for what is other than yourself.