How Do You Spell SELFISHLY?

Pronunciation: [sˈɛlfɪʃli] (IPA)

The spelling of the word "selfishly" is often confusing due to the presence of two "s" sounds. However, the correct pronunciation of the word makes use of the IPA phonetic transcription, which represents the sounds as /ˈsɛlfɪʃli/. The first "s" is pronounced as an unvoiced "s" sound, while the second "s" is pronounced as a voiced "z" sound. This combination of sounds in the word's spelling adds to the difficulty of its pronunciation, but with practice, it can be mastered.

SELFISHLY Meaning and Definition

  1. Selfishly is an adverb that describes a behavioral trait or action characterized by a sole focus on personal gain or benefit, often at the expense or disregard of others. It stems from the base word "selfish," which refers to an individual's inclination to prioritize their own interests, desires, or needs above those of others. Individuals who act selfishly typically exhibit a lack of consideration or empathy for others, as their primary concern is the attainment of personal goals or satisfaction.

    Actions that are performed selfishly are driven by a self-centered mindset, where one's own well-being or desires overshadow any consideration for the well-being or desires of others. This can manifest in various ways, such as refusing to share resources, neglecting the needs of others, or pursuing personal goals at the expense of relationships or partnerships. Selfishness can hinder cooperation, compromise, and harmonious interactions within social or interpersonal contexts, as it tends to prioritize individual interests over the collective good.

    While pursuing personal interests is not inherently negative, acting selfishly becomes problematic when it consistently disregards the rights or well-being of others. The motivation behind selfish behavior is primarily influenced by personal gain or gratification, often to the detriment of others or the larger societal fabric.

    In summary, to act selfishly is to demonstrate a lack of concern for the well-being or interests of others, instead prioritizing individual goals, desires, or needs. This behavior disregards the potential impact on others and can negatively affect relationships, cooperation, and overall social harmony.

Top Common Misspellings for SELFISHLY *

* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.

Other Common Misspellings for SELFISHLY

Etymology of SELFISHLY

The word "selfishly" has its etymology rooted in the word "selfish", which originated in the mid-17th century from the combination of "self" and the suffix "-ish".

The term "self" comes from the Old English word "self", meaning "one's own person, life, or being". It can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic word "*selbaz". Similarly, the suffix "-ish" is derived from the Old English "-isc", suggesting a likeness or similarity to something.

Over time, the combining of "self" and "-ish" led to the creation of "selfish" to describe someone who is primarily concerned with their own interests, benefits, or well-being. From "selfish", the adverb form "selfishly" was formed to describe actions or behavior that are consistent with selfishness.

Similar spelling words for SELFISHLY