altruistic

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "altruistic" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is an adjective that means unselfish or concerned about the welfare of others. It can be used to describe someone who does something that benefits others without expecting anything in return. For example, you can say, "He was so altruistic - he gave away all his possessions to help others in need."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"If you lived in a group where everyone was very helpful to each other, behaved altruistically, and your group could then dominate other groups, then those altruistic tendencies would increase in frequency and the number of groups displaying those capacities would increase".

The Guardian

The social parts of our brain are certainly larger than those of our closest relatives but is it merely greater size which makes us more altruistic?

The Guardian

There are different levels of altruistic behaviour until you reach the higher spheres of thought and emotion which only humans are capable of.

The Guardian

According to sector thinktank nfpSynergy to help people be altruistic, "we need them to be selfish" Volunteering has a rich history, traceable in Britain at least back to medieval times, when there was a strong association between religion and ministration to the poor and sick.

The Guardian

From 1 January next year, atheists yearning to slip on a woggle and embrace the self-reliant yet altruistic philosophy of the Scouts will find the organisation well prepared.

The Guardian

"There are studies which suggest genes affecting oxytocin signalling might be associated with differences in altruistic behaviour.

The Guardian

Insects such as ants or honeybees are almost certainly not neurologically advanced enough to feel emotions such as empathy but are extremely altruistic, regularly sacrificing themselves for the sake of their colony.

The Guardian

To help people be altruistic, it argues, "we need them to be selfish" in terms of thinking what's in it for them.

The Guardian

Andersen, the fifth member of the big five, says it has begun to avoid doing non-audit work for audit clients as part of its post-Enron reforms.These moves are not altruistic.

The Economist

The promises are in any case less altruistic and generous than they might look.

The Economist

It does not disallow altruistic behaviour, but requires that this evolve in a way that promotes the interest of a particular gene for example by helping close relatives who might also harbour the gene in question.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "altruistic" to describe actions or motivations that are genuinely selfless and aimed at benefiting others, not merely for personal gain or recognition.

Common error

Avoid using "altruistic" when the action is performed with the expectation of a direct or indirect reward. True altruism involves acting out of concern for others, not out of self-interest.

Linguistic Context

The adjective "altruistic" primarily functions to describe individuals, behaviors, or motivations that are characterized by selflessness and a genuine concern for the well-being of others, as demonstrated in the Ludwig examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

57%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

13%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "altruistic" is a grammatically correct and commonly used adjective that describes selfless actions or motivations aimed at benefiting others. As confirmed by Ludwig, its usage spans various contexts, from news and media to formal business settings and scientific discussions. While synonyms like "selfless" and "unselfish" exist, it's important to differentiate altruism from actions expecting reciprocity. Use "altruistic" to highlight genuine concern for others' welfare without expecting personal gain.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

selfless

Emphasizes the lack of self-centeredness.

unselfish

Highlights the absence of selfish motives.

benevolent

Focuses on the desire to do good for others.

philanthropic

Relates to charitable giving and actions.

humanitarian

Stresses concern for human welfare.

compassionate

Highlights empathy and caring.

charitable

Focuses on giving aid to those in need.

generous

Emphasizes willingness to give or share.

magnanimous

Implies a noble and forgiving spirit.

self-sacrificing

Highlights the act of giving up something for others.

FAQs

How can I use "altruistic" in a sentence?

You can use "altruistic" to describe someone's behavior or intentions, such as "Her "altruistic actions" helped many people in need" or "He had an "altruistic motive" for volunteering".

What are some synonyms for "altruistic"?

Alternatives to "altruistic" include "selfless", "unselfish", "benevolent", and "philanthropic", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to describe an action that benefits the doer as "altruistic"?

While an action might incidentally benefit the doer, for it to be truly considered "altruistic", the primary motivation must be the well-being of others, not personal gain.

What's the difference between "altruistic" and "self-sacrificing"?

"Altruistic" describes a general concern for others, while "self-sacrificing" specifically implies giving up something valuable for the sake of others. All self-sacrificing acts are altruistic, but not all altruistic acts require self-sacrifice.