Word

altruism

noun C1

/ˈæl.tɹu.ɪz.əm/

Meanings

noun

the belief in or practice of helping others, sometimes at a personal cost, without expecting a reward

noun

a selfless act done to benefit someone else

Definition

Altruism is the belief in or practice of caring about others’ welfare, often by helping them without expecting anything in return.

Altruism refers to concern for other people and a willingness to act for their benefit. It often involves helping, sharing, or sacrificing time and resources without looking for personal gain. In everyday use, it highlights motivation: doing something mainly because it helps someone else.

Examples

Her altruism showed when she stayed late to mentor a new colleague with no credit attached.
I admire altruism, but I also think it works best when people set clear boundaries.
Their altruism was obvious as they organized a neighborhood cleanup on their own time.
In the novel, the protagonist’s altruism creates tension with friends who suspect hidden motives.

Common mistake

Learners sometimes confuse altruism (helping others) with altruistic (the adjective) and incorrectly say “an altruism person” instead of “an altruistic person.”